Molecular model of IP6 with six phosphate groups

Molecular science. Published evidence.

IP6 & inositol.

Molecular mechanisms, experimental findings, and human studies. Explore the science of IP6 and inositol.

IP6 research since 1985

Figure 1. Inositol hexaphosphate, C6H18O24P6: six phosphate groups bonded to a six-carbon inositol ring.

CarbonHydrogenOxygenPhosphorus

A guided introduction

New to the subject? Read these four chapters in order. Each one opens a page of the collection.

  1. What IP6 is

    A phosphate-rich molecule found in cereal grains, legumes, and seeds, and present in human cells.

    Read the molecular science
  2. How it is studied

    Cell cultures, animal experiments, and human studies each answer a different kind of question.

    Learn how to read a study
  3. What has been reported

    Findings across cancer biology, immunology, metabolism, and neuroscience, with their limits.

    Browse the research areas
  4. Where the research began

    Experiments started at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1985.

    Meet the scientist

Research topics

All topics

Selected primary literature

Studies from the research collection. Publication dates refer to the original papers.

Human study2010PMID: 20152024

IP6 + inositol during breast cancer chemotherapy

Bacic I, et al. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research. 2010;29:12.

Study design Randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study; 14 participants.

The investigators reported differences in quality of life, functional status, and blood-count outcomes during chemotherapy. The small sample limits the conclusions.

Cell study2010PMID: 20127021

Proliferation and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines

Schroterova L, et al. Oncology Reports. 2010;23(3):787-793.

Study design Human colorectal carcinoma cell lines: HT-29, SW-480, and SW-620.

IP6 and inositol were studied individually and in combination. Effects varied with concentration and cell line; inositol enhanced apoptosis-related activity with IP6 in the tested models.

Animal study1989PMID: 2752519

Inositol phosphates and tumor formation in CD-1 mice

Shamsuddin AM, Ullah A, Chakravarthy AK. Carcinogenesis. 1989;10(8):1461-1463.

Study design Experimental study in CD-1 mice.

An early University of Maryland investigation of inositol and IP6 in cell proliferation and tumor formation. Animal experiments provide biological evidence; they do not establish efficacy in people.

Research correspondence

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