Chemicals and Drugs

Folic Acid

A member of the vitamin B family that stimulates the hematopoietic system. It is present in the liver and kidney and is found in mushrooms, spinach, yeast, green leaves, and grasses (POACEAE). Folic acid is used in the treatment and prevention of folate deficiencies and megaloblastic anemia.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A member of the vitamin B family that stimulates the hematopoietic system. It is present in the liver and kidney and is found in mushrooms, spinach, yeast, green leaves, and grasses (POACEAE). Folic acid is used in the treatment and prevention of folate deficiencies and megaloblastic anemia.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C19H19N7O6
Molecular Weight
441.4 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
59-30-3
IUPAC Name
(2S)-2-[[4-[(2-amino-4-oxo-3H-pteridin-6-yl)methylamino]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid
InChIKey
OVBPIULPVIDEAO-LBPRGKRZSA-N
SMILES
C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)O)NCC2=CN=C3C(=N2)C(=O)NC(=N3)N
MeSH Unique ID
D005492
Source
PubChem CID 135398658

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

14 entry terms
  • Pteroylglutamic Acid
  • Vitamin B9
  • Vitamin M
  • B9, Vitamin
  • Folacin
  • Folate
  • Folic Acid, (D)-Isomer
  • Folic Acid, (DL)-Isomer
  • Folic Acid, Calcium Salt (1:1)
  • Folic Acid, Monopotassium Salt
  • Folic Acid, Monosodium Salt
  • Folic Acid, Potassium Salt
  • Folic Acid, Sodium Salt
  • Folvite

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

27 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

HOMOFOLIC ACID was heading 1975-84

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D03w.633.100.733.631.400w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 188

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Folic Acid. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D005492. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D005492
  2. Folic Acid. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folate
  3. Folic Acid. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127060
  4. Folic Acid. In: PubChem Compound. CID 135398658. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/135398658