A synthetic derivative of propylpentanoic acid with antiepileptic properties and potential antineoplastic and antiangiogenesis activities. In epilepsy, valproic acid appears to act by increasing the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The antitumor and antiangiogenesis activities of this agent may be related to the inhibition of histone deacetylases and nitric oxide synthase, resulting in decreased production of nitric oxide. (NCI04)
