Valproic Acid

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic derivative of propylpentanoic acid with antiepileptic properties and potential antineoplastic and antiangiogenesis activities. In epilepsy, valproic acid appears to act by increasing the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This agent's antitumor and antiangiogenesis activities may be related to the inhibition of histone deacetylases and nitric oxide synthase, which results in the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - 2-Propylpentanoic Acid - 2-Propylvaleric Acid - Depakene - Depakene - Di-n-propylacetic Acid - Stavzor - VALPROIC ACID - Valproate - valproic acid