DL-α-lipoic acid is a cyclic disulfide antioxidant that interconverts with its reduced dithiol form. It is an essential cofactor for decarboxylation reactions of the citric acid cycle, and acts as a general antioxidant.{12280,12281,12322} DL-α-lipoic acid can act as a direct radical scavenger, as a cofactor to regenerate reduced glutathione, and as a metal chelator.