4-Hydroxybutyric Acid Methyl Ester (CAS 925-57-5)

4-Hydroxybutyric Acid Methyl Ester, also known as Methyl 4-hydroxybutanoate, is an organic, colorless, viscous liquid with a faint, sweet, fruity odor. It is found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including apples, pears, pineapple, and tomatoes. It is an inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Inhibition of this enzyme results in an increase in the concentration of acetylcholine in the synapse, which leads to increased nerve transmission. Due to its resemblance to natural substrates, 4-Hydroxybutyric Acid Methyl Ester has been widely employed as a model compound for investigating the mechanisms underlying enzyme-catalyzed reactions. It has served as useful in examining the influence of pH, temperature, and enzyme inhibitors on these reactions. Studies have shown that it has anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, antinociceptive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.