Asparagusic acid and lipoic acid are similar in that both possess a 1,2-dithiolane ring with a carboxylic acid tethered to it; indeed, it has been reported that asparagusic acid can substitute for lipoic acid in α-keto-acid oxidation systems such as the citric acid cycle.
Asparagusic acid and lipoic acid are analogous compounds due to their identical 1,2-dithiolane ring structure attached to a carboxylic acid moiety. Furthermore, it has been observed that asparagusic acid can substitute for lipoic acid in particular biochemical reactions.