More than two hundred years ago, taurine was first isolated from materials derived from animals. It is abundantly found in a wide range of mammalian and non-mammalian tissues and diverse environments. Taurine was discovered to be a by-product of the metabolism of sulfur only a little over a century and a half ago. Recently, there has been a renewed academic interest in researching and exploring various uses of the amino acid taurine, and recent research has indicated that it may be useful in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including seizures, high blood pressure, cardiac infarction, neurodegeneration, and diabetes. Taurine is currently authorised for the therapy of congestive heart failure in Japan, and it has shown promising results in the management of several other illnesses as well. Moreover, it was found to be effective in some clinical trials, and hence it was patented for the same. This review compiles the research data that supports the prospective usage of taurine as an antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diabetic, retinal protective, and membrane stabilizing agent, amongst other applications.
Keywords: Biological effects; amino acid; antioxidant; mechanisms; taurine; therapeutics.
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