Chemicals and Drugs

Glycerol

A trihydroxy sugar alcohol that is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is used as a solvent, emollient, pharmaceutical agent, or sweetening agent.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A trihydroxy sugar alcohol that is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is used as a solvent, emollient, pharmaceutical agent, or sweetening agent.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C3H8O3
Molecular Weight
92.09 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
56-81-5
IUPAC Name
propane-1,2,3-triol
InChIKey
PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
C(C(CO)O)O
MeSH Unique ID
D005990
Source
PubChem CID 753

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • 1,2,3-Propanetriol
  • 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
  • Glycerin
  • Glycerine

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

25 allowable subheadings

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

MeSH Record

History Note

98

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D02w.033w.800w.875.500w
  2. D09w.853w.875.500w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Glycerol. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D005990. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D005990
  2. Glycerol. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol
  3. Glycerol. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132501
  4. Glycerol. In: PubChem Compound. CID 753. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/753