Drug Database
VA

valproate sodium (K828SP / Selenica R)

✓ Approved

Kowa · SCN1A · Small Molecule

What is valproate sodium?

valproate sodium is a small molecule developed by Kowa. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesK828SP, Selenica R
CompanyKowa
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetSCN1A, SCN2A, SCN3A
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Kowa

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

valproate sodium acts on 3 molecular targets:

SCN1Asodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 1 (DEE6B, FEB3)
SCN2Asodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 2 (Na(v)1.2, BFNIS)
SCN3Asodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 3 (Nav1.3, NAC3)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

valproate sodium is developed for 2 unique indications across 2 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Nervous system disordersEpilepsy✓ Approved
Congenital, familial and genetic disordersSpinal muscular atrophyPhase III

Related Research Articles

PubMedThe Journal of the Association of Physicians of India2026-10-22

Etiological Spectrum of Hyponatremia in Tuberculous Meningitis: Insights from Referral Institute in Northern India.

Singla Neeraj N, Nc Meiherishankar M, Sharma Kusum K, Modi Manish M et al.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) causes death or severe disability in 50% of afflicted patients. Among the various complications, such as hydrocephalus, hyponatremia, cranial nerve palsies, seizures, and myeloradiculopathy, hyponatremia occurs more frequently, affecting 35-65% of patients with central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis. To study the prevalence of hyponatremia in patients with TBM and its correlation with the clinical profile, severity of illness, and outcome. In suspected TBM patients with low sodium levels, serum and urine osmolality were measured by an osmometer [Advanced Instruments, Inc. (2020)] to evaluate the possible causes. Patients underwent brain imaging to look for hydrocephalus, vasculitic infarcts, and basal exudates. They were followed up with serum sodium levels until the completion of treatment and repeat brain imaging during follow-up to assess radiological recovery. A total of 100 suspected TBM patients with a mean age of 32.6 years and predominantly female (57%) were included. The most common symptoms were fever, headache, altered sensorium, and seizures. The VI cranial nerve was most frequently involved. A total of 31% of patients presented in stage III, with a significant association with mortality (p = 0.002). Hyponatremia was seen in 57% of patients. The GeneXpert Ultra-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for tuberculosis was positive in 41% of patients. Basal exudates (p = 0.001) and tuberculomas (p = 0.004) on brain imaging had a significant association with mortality. On follow-up, 41% of patients had improvement, 35% expired, and 10% had a static condition. Repeat sodium levels along with brain imaging were assessed (p = 0.001). There was a high prevalence of hyponatremia in TBM patients, as seen in 57% of patients, which occurred most frequently due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), followed by cerebral salt-wasting syndrome (CSWS), and was related to the severity of TBM.

PMID 42902663
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PubMedDrug testing and analysis2026-10-22

Doping Control Analysis of Darbepoetin Alfa Biosimilars in Human Urine, Serum, Plasma, and Dried Blood Spots.

Akiyama Kentaro K, Sakurai Hikaru H, Sato Mitsuhiko M, Momobayashi Atsushi A et al.

Following the patent expiration of the originator darbepoetin alfa, three biosimilar products have been marketed in Japan; however, their detectability by current anti-doping methods has not yet been verified. The present study assessed whether these biosimilars can be detected in human urine, serum, plasma, and dried blood spots (DBS) using the established initial testing procedure and confirmation analysis for erythropoietin-receptor agonists. The originator product and three biosimilars (5 μg, i.v.) were administered to healthy male volunteers. Samples collected up to 72 h postdose were subjected to immunopurification followed by sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (SAR-PAGE) as the initial testing procedure. Confirmation was performed by SAR-PAGE with double blotting for serum and plasma. DBS and urine samples were confirmed by SAR-PAGE using an alternative antibody, and urine samples were further examined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). SAR-PAGE analysis of the pharmaceutical preparations revealed product-specific electrophoretic profiles: two biosimilars migrated slightly above one originator product as diffused smears, whereas the third produced a sharp band comparable to that of another originator product. Similar profiles were observed in postdose samples from all biological matrices, and all biosimilars remained detectable in urine, serum, plasma, and DBS for at least 72 h. Although some biosimilars showed distinct SAR-PAGE banding patterns, product attribution remained limited. LC-MS/MS confirmed administered darbepoetin alfa in the 24 h urine samples but did not detect analyte in lower concentration samples, indicating that its performance was concentration-dependent. Accordingly, SAR-PAGE should incorporate reference standards beyond the originator product, particularly those with different band morphologies.

PMID 42902912
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PubMedTherapeutic hypothermia and temperature management2026-10-21

Renin-Aldosterone Activation and Enhanced Urinary Potassium Excretion in Asphyxiated Newborns Treated with Therapeutic Hypothermia: A Prospective Study.

Baştuğ Osman O, İnan Bahadır B, Özdemir Ahmet A, Baştuğ Funda F et al.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a critical neonatal condition for which therapeutic hypothermia (TH) remains the cornerstone of neuroprotective intervention. Clinical observations and prior studies note that electrolyte imbalances-particularly hyponatremia and hypokalemia-frequently emerge during TH. Therefore, this study explores how activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) may contribute to sodium (Na) and potassium (K) disturbances in asphyxiated neonates receiving TH. In this prospective study, 38 newborns with HIE treated with TH and 21 healthy term newborns were enrolled. Serum renin, aldosterone, Na, K, and urinary electrolyte levels were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours postnatally. Receiver operating characteristic analyses assessed the diagnostic performance of renin and aldosterone. Renin and aldosterone levels were significantly elevated in the TH group compared with controls (p < 0.05). Serum sodium levels were consistently lower at all time points (p = 0.001), while potassium levels were significantly reduced at 24 and 72 hours (p < 0.05). Fractional excretion of sodium was increased at 24 hours, and potassium excretion remained elevated throughout the TH period (p < 0.05). Among the biomarkers, aldosterone demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance at 24 hours (AUC = 0.919). Activation of the RAAS is evident in asphyxiated neonates undergoing TH, with aldosterone playing a pivotal role in electrolyte disturbances. These results highlight the clinical importance of vigilant monitoring and timely correction of serum sodium and potassium levels during the hypothermia protocol.

PMID 42902593
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PubMedAngewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)2026-10-21

Anion-Cation Targeted Regulation Enables Ultrafast and Stable Sodium Metal Batteries at Low Temperatures.

Zhang Tonghui T, Xiao Ying Y, Han Yu Y, Wang Xinyu X et al.

Anion-dominated solvation and artificial interfacial engineering have been intensively pursued for low-temperature sodium-metal batteries (SMBs), yet they face constraints from temperature-sensitive solvation dynamics and interfacial control. Here we propose anion-cation-targeted regulation via Sn(OTf)2 that simultaneously constructs a solvent-reinforced solvation structure and electrochemically induces an alloy-based solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) (Na15Sn4), which goes beyond the prevailing anion-centric strategy to address the critical challenges of SMBs at subzero temperatures. Competitive Sn2+-Na+ coordination excludes PF6 - from the primary solvation sheath, while OTf- and the ether groups of diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DEGDME) coupling foster a solvent-dominated configuration, substantially reducing the Na+ desolvation energy barrier at low temperatures. This design enables Na||Na3V2(PO4)3 cells to deliver a recorded 1050 cycles at -20°C and 20 C, and nearly 700 cycles at -50°C. Ah-scale pouch cells sustain durable 450 cycles at -20°C, with a 6 Ah cell reaching 215 Wh kg-1 at 25°C (total cell mass). Our findings resolve the longstanding trade-off between low-temperature kinetics and stability in SMBs, offering a new design rationale beyond conventional interfacial engineering.

PMID 42902465
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PubMedBMC plant biology2026-10-21

Mechanosensation of rice root border cells activates serotonin-mediated pre-invasion behaviors in Meloidogyne graminicola via DEG/ENaC channels.

Long Xiping X, Xiao Wenxuan W, Shi Xuqi X, Ye Shan S et al.

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) locate host roots primarily through chemosensation, yet the sensory events that convert root contact into the stylet thrusts required for host penetration remain obscure. Root border cells (RBCs), terminally differentiated cells shed from the root cap, constitute the first point of physical contact between the root and invading nematodes, but whether and how RBCs trigger pre-invasion behaviors is unknown. Here we showed that rice (Oryza sativa) RBCs induce preparasitic second-stage juveniles (pre-J2) of the rice root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola to exhibit stylet thrusting, feeding behaviors, and marked up‑regulation of the serotonin biosynthesis gene Mg‑tph‑1 in a density‑dependent manner. Among RBC components, the insoluble polysaccharide cellulose is the predominant inducer. We identified two Degenerin/Epithelial Sodium Channel (DEG/ENaC) mechanosensory genes, Mg‑del‑1 and Mg‑unc‑105, both highly expressed in infective J2. RNA interference targeting either gene reduced nematode motility and abolished RBC‑ or cellulose‑induced stylet thrusting and feeding. Furthermore, silencing Mg‑del‑1 or Mg‑unc‑105 downregulated the serotonergic pathway genes Mg‑unc‑43 and Mg‑tph‑1, and markedly reduced 5‑HT immunoreactivity in J2 responding to mechanical stimulation. We propose that specific DEG/ENaC channels mediate the mechanosensing of RBCs or root cellulose by root‑knot nematodes, activating a downstream serotonergic circuit that drives stylet thrusting. This work uncovers a previously uncharacterized mechanosensory pathway in plant‑nematode interactions and identifies nematode DEG/ENaC channels as promising targets for disrupting parasitism, offering a new mechanosensory‑based strategy for nematode control.

PMID 42902160
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PubMedESC heart failure2026-10-21

Finerenone versus Steroidal MRAs in Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease without Prior Heart Failure.

Kishimori Takefumi T, Kato Takao T, Iwasaki Yoshihiro Y, Shimada Takenobu T et al.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) markedly increase the risk of heart failure (HF) and death. While finerenone improves outcomes in clinical trials, real-world evidence and direct comparisons with steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are limited. We evaluated finerenone versus steroidal MRAs (spironolactone and eplerenone) in patients without prior HF. Using the TriNetX platform, we conducted a retrospective multi-center observational study. We identified patients aged ≥18 years with T2D and CKD without prior HF and ischemic heart disease, who initiated MRAs after receiving a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor as first-line therapy between 2021 and 2024 (N=3,680). Of these, 724 initiated finerenone and 1,542 initiated a steroidal MRA. After propensity score matching, each group included 551 patients. The primary outcome was all-cause death during the 18-month follow-up period; the secondary outcome was new-onset HF and renal outcome (a composite of end-stage renal disease and dialysis). Over 18-month, finerenone initiation was associated with lower incidence rates of all-cause death (2.1 vs 4.5 events/100 person-years; incidence rate difference, -2.41; 95% CI, -4.38 to -0.44) and new-onset HF (6.5 vs 12.9; -6.38; 95% CI, -9.75 to -3.02), whereas no significant difference was observed for the renal outcome (8.3 vs 9.1; -0.81; 95% CI, -3.99 to 2.37). Finerenone was associated with a lower 18-month risk of all-cause death compared with steroidal MRAs in patients aged ≥18 years with T2D and CKD without prior HF, who received an SGLT2 inhibitor as first-line therapy; however, residual confounding cannot be excluded, and these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating.

PMID 42902439
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