Calcium D-pantothenate is also called calcium Dextro-Pantothenic acid, D-Pantothenic acid hemicalcium salt, Vitamin B5 or (R)-(+)-N-(2,4-Dihydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutyl)-β-alanine hemicalcium salt with chemical formula HOCH2C(CH3)2CH(OH)CONHCH2CH2CO2 •1/2Ca[1].

Calcium D-Pantothenate is the calcium salt of the water-soluble vitamin B5, ubiquitously found in plants and animal tissues with antioxidant property. Pentothenate is a component of coenzyme A (CoA) and a part of the vitamin B2 complex. Vitamin B5 is a growth factor and is essential for various metabolic functions, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty acids. This vitamin is also involved in the synthesis of cholesterol, lipids, neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, and hemoglobin[2].

Calcium D-pantothenate is a component of coenzyme A (CoA), an essential coenzyme in a variety of reactions that sustain life. CoA is required for chemical reactions that generate energy from food (fat, carbohydrates, and proteins). The synthesis of essential fats, cholesterol, and steroid hormones requires CoA, as does the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, and the hormone, melatonin. Heme, a component of hemoglobin, requires a CoA-containing compound for its synthesis. Metabolism of a number of drugs and toxins by the liver requires CoA.

Calcium D-pantothenate, also known as vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in most foods. Calcium D-pantothenate is naturally produced in the body by bacteria in the intestines, but people must supplement their intake by either absorbing the vitamin through the ingestion of food or by taking a vitamin B complex. Calcium D-pantothenate is essential for the body’s production of hormones, energy production, fat storage, and many other bodily processes.

Fig 1. Chemical structure formula and three-dimensional structure of Calcium D-pantothenate

Calcium D-pantothenate is a synthetic substance made from pantothenic acid and sold as vitamin B-5 supplements. Vitamin B-5 is one of the eight B vitamins and an essential nutrient your body uses to create energy and break down carbohydrates and fats. Your body requires the B-complex vitamins including B-5 to carry out many nervous system functions. Doctors also prescribe Calcium D-pantothenate as a treatment for acne and morning stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

The effect of calcium D-pantothenate on the migration, proliferation and protein synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts from three different donors was investigated. The migration of cells into a wounded area was dose-dependently stimulated by Ca D- pantothenate[3-5]. 

References

[1] Chawla J, Kvarnberg D. Hydrosoluble vitamins. Handb Clin Neurol 2014;120:891-914. 
[2] Miller JW, Rucker RB. Pantothenic acid. In: Erdman JW, Macdonald IA, Zeisel SH, eds. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 10th ed. Washington, DC: Wiley-Blackwell; 2012:375-90.
[3] Weimann BI, Hermann D. Calcium D-Pantothenate. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1999 Mar;69(2):113-9.
[4] Vaxman F, Olender S, Lambert A, Nisand G, Aprahamian M, Bruch JF. Effect of Pantothenic Acid and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on Human Skin Wound Healing Process. Eur Surg Res. 1995;27(3):158-66.