Can Ergothioneine, a Natural Antioxidant, Revolutionize Skin Health and Beauty?

🔍 Key Finding

Ergothioneine (EGT) is a potent antioxidant that protects skin from oxidative stress, inflammation, and UV damage, potentially by targeting mitochondria and interacting with the glutathione redox cycle. It also shows promise in anti-aging, skin barrier repair, and melanin inhibition, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmetics.

🔬 Methodology Overview

• Design: Narrative review
• Data Sources: Published studies on ergothioneine
• Selection Criteria: Focus on antioxidant effects and biological mechanisms, primarily in dermatology, as well as cosmetic applications.
• Analysis Approach: Qualitative synthesis of findings from in vitro studies, animal models, and human subject research.
• Scope: Mechanisms of action, biological effects, and cosmetic applications of ergothioneine, with a focus on skin health.

📊 Results

• Ergothioneine (EGT) scavenges various free radicals including hydroxyl, superoxide, DPPH, ABTS, and peroxynitrite.
• EGT chelates metal ions like iron and copper without producing additional free radicals via the Fenton reaction.
• EGT may participate in the antioxidant network, promoting glutathione regeneration and interacting with vitamin C and E.
• EGT accumulates in mitochondria via the OCTN-1 transporter, protecting against mitochondrial DNA damage and maintaining membrane potential.
• EGT inhibits tyrosinase activity, potentially reducing melanin production. One study found an IC50 of 6.1 × 10⁻⁵ ± 0.305 mg/mL for tyrosinase inhibition.
• EGT shows anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production, potentially through MAPK and NF-κB pathways.
• EGT may play a role in skin barrier repair, possibly by interacting with RUNX1 and regulating IL-33.

💡 Clinical Impact

Ergothioneine demonstrates potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective properties in vitro, suggesting potential benefits for various skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and photoaging; however, further clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects and establish its role in dermatological practice.

🤔 Limitations

• Most evidence based on animal or in vitro cell experiments.
• Lack of human and clinical evidence, especially for topical skin application.
• EGT deficiency or excess effects on skin unknown.
• Transdermal osmotic rate and OCTN-1’s role in EGT skin penetration unclear.
• EGT’s central role and mechanism in the body’s antioxidant network not fully elucidated.
• Unclear if OCTN-1 supplementation enhances EGT transport and penetration.
• EGT’s melanogenesis inhibition mechanism not fully understood.

✨ What It Means For You

Ergothioneine, a natural antioxidant, shows promise in protecting against skin damage from UV radiation, oxidative stress, and inflammation, potentially offering new therapeutic avenues for dermatological conditions like atopic dermatitis. Further research, particularly clinical trials, is needed to confirm these findings and determine optimal ergothioneine delivery methods for skin conditions. This could lead to new treatments or preventative strategies for skin aging and disease.

Reference

Liu HM, Tang W, Wang X-Y, Jiang J-J, Zhang W, Wang W. Safe and Effective Antioxidant: The Biological Mechanism and Potential Pathways of Ergothioneine in the Skin. Molecules. 2023;28:1648. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041648