Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is an amino acid produced by bacteria, sponges, algae and leguminous seedlings. Taurine is an endogenous metabolite of animals and is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cysteine. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotectant properties, protects against hypoxia-induced damage in rat hippocampal slices, and inhibits platelet adhesion and aggregation in rabbits by ADP, arachidonic acid and collagen in a dose-dependent manner. Taurine has a role in calcium homeostasis.