In recent years vitamin B6 has become a focus of research describing the compound's critical function in cellular metabolism and stress response. For many years the sole function of vitamin B6 was considered to be that of an enzymatic cofactor. However, recently it became clear that it is also a potent antioxidant that effectively quenches reactive oxygen species and is thus of high importance for cellular well-being. In view of the recent findings, the current review takes a look back and summarizes the discovery of vitamin B6 and the elucidation of its structure and biosynthetic pathways. It provides a detailed overview on vitamin B6 both as a cofactor and a protective compound. Besides these general characteristics of the vitamin, the review also outlines the current literature on vitamin B6 derivatives and elaborates on recent findings that provide new insights into transport and catabolism of the compound and on its impact on human health.

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/14/1/329/pdf

Vitamin B6: A Long Known Compound of Surprising Complexity

Vitamin B6 is an intriguing molecule that is involved in a wide range of metabolic, physiological and developmental processes. Based on its water solubility and high reactivity when phosphorylated, it is a suitable co-factor for many biochemical processes. Furthermore the vitamin is a potent antioxidant, rivaling carotenoids or tocopherols in its ability to quench reactive oxygen species. It is therefore not surprising that the vitamin is essential and unquestionably important for the cellular metabolism and well-being of all living organisms. The review briefly summarizes the biosynthetic pathways of vitamin B6 in pro- and eukaryotes and its diverse roles in enzymatic reactions. Finally, because in recent years the vitamin has often been considered beneficial for human health, the review will also sum up and critically reflect on current knowledge how human health can profit from vitamin B6.

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/15/1/442/pdf

Vitamin B6: A Molecule for Human Health?

Vitamin B(6) salvage enzymes: mechanism, structure and regulation

Products prepared from Ginkgo biloba are top-selling phytopharmaceuticals especially in Europe and major botanical dietary supplements in the United States. In European medicine, G. biloba medications are used to improve memory, to treat neuronal disorders such as tinnitus or intermittent claudication, and to improve brain metabolism and peripheral blood flow. The whole array of indications is reflected by a number of defined natural product constituents in G. biloba. The most well-known ones are flavonoids and terpene lactones, but they also include allergenic and toxic compounds such as ginkgotoxin (1). Consequently, there are reports attributing beneficial as well as adverse effects to G. biloba products. The present paper summarizes recent experiences with G. biloba and its derived products and explains why their restricted use is recommended.

Ginkgo biloba and ginkgotoxin.

The main active constituents and detoxification process of Ginkgo biloba seeds and their potential use in functional health foods

Ginkgotoxin (4′-O-methylpyridoxine) occurring in the seeds and leaves of Ginkgo biloba, is an antivitamin structurally related to vitamin B6. Ingestion of ginkgotoxin triggers epileptic convulsions and other neuronal symptoms. Here we report on studies on the impact of B6 antivitamins including ginkgotoxin on recombinant homogeneous human pyridoxal kinase (EC 2.7.1.35). It is shown that ginkgotoxin serves as an alternate substrate for this enzyme with a lower Km value than pyridoxal, pyridoxamine or pyridoxine. Thus, the presence of ginkgotoxin leads to temporarily reduced pyridoxal phosphate formation in vitro and possibly also in vivo. Our observations are discussed in light of Ginkgo medications used as nootropics.

https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.05654.x

The human pyridoxal kinase, a plausible target for ginkgotoxin from Ginkgo biloba.

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The human pyridoxal kinase, a plausible target for ginkgotoxin from Ginkgo biloba.