Inositol

The mechanism of action of inositol in brain disorders is not fully understood but it is thought that it may be involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and it is a precursor to the phosphatidylinositol cycle. The change that occurs in the cycle simulates when the postsynaptic receptor is activated but without activating the receptor. This activity provokes a fake activation which regulated the activity of monoamines and other neurotransmitters.

Reports have shown that insulin resistance plays a key role in the clinical development of PCOS. The presence of hyperinsulinemia can induce an excess in androgen production by stimulating ovaries to produce androgens and by reducing the sex hormone binding globulin serum levels. One of the mechanisms of insulin deficiency is thought to be related to a deficiency in inositol in the inositolphosphoglycans. The administration of inositol allows it to act as a direct messenger of the insulin signaling and improves glucose tissue uptake. This mechanism is extrapolated to its functions in diabetes treatment, metabolic syndrome, and weight loss.

In cancer, the mechanism of action of inositol is not fully understood. It is hypothesized that the administration of inositol increases the level of lower-phosphate inositol phosphates why can affect cycle regulation, growth, and differentiation of malignant cells. On the other hand, the formation of inositol hexaphosphate after administration of inositol presents antioxidant characteristics by the chelation of ferric ions and suppression of hydroxyl radicals.