Ergothioneine

Related Terms

1-Carboxy-2-[2-mercaptoimidazole-4-(or 5)-yl]ethyl]-trimethyl-ammonium hydroxide, 2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine, erythrothioneine, ET, ETT, L-Ergo, L-ergothioneine, OCTN1, S-alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N-N,-trimethyl-thioxo-1H-imidazole-4-eth-anaminium hydroxide, SLC22A4, sympectothion, thiasine, thiazine, thiolhistidinebetaine, thioneine, thiozine.

Background

Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring, water-soluble amino acid of plant origin that accumulates in animal tissues. Dietary sources of ergothioneine include various types of mushrooms (king bolete, oyster mushroom), chicken liver, pork liver, pork kidney, oat bran, and beans (black turtle bean, red kidney bean).
Ergothioneine is a water-soluble thiol compound that is of interest to scientists and consumers for its potential beneficial effects as an antioxidant, which may protect against oxidative stress, as well as its anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiaging properties. Due to its potential benefits for the skin, it is found in some skin care products.
Ergothioneine cannot cross the plasma membrane of cells unless they express the ergothioneine transporter ETT (originally designated as OCTN1; human gene symbol SLC22A4). Ergothioneine specifically accumulates to millimolar concentrations in cell types that are normally subjected to high levels of oxidative stress (including erythrocytes and plasma). In humans, abnormal ETT and ergothioneine levels have been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Limited evidence supports the use of a combination of hydroquinone and ergothioneine to treat hyperpigmentation. Further research is needed.

 C


Limited evidence supports the use of a combination of hydroquinone and ergothioneine to treat hyperpigmentation. Further research is needed.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for ergothioneine in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Ergothioneine may interact with drugs that may affect blood sugar, anti-inflammatory agents, immune system suppressants, lithium, agents that increase light sensitivity, and verapamil.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Bacher, P., Giersiefer, S., Bach, M., Fork, C., Schomig, E., and Grundemann, D. Substrate discrimination by ergothioneine transporter SLC22A4 and carnitine transporter SLC22A5: gain-of-function by interchange of selected amino acids. Biochim.Biophys Acta 2009;1788(12):2594-2602.
Botta, C., Di, Giorgio C., Sabatier, A. S., and De, Meo M. Genotoxicity of visible light (400-800 nm) and photoprotection assessment of ectoin, L-ergothioneine and mannitol and four sunscreens. J Photochem.Photobiol.B 4-25-2008;91(1):24-34.
Dong, K. K., Damaghi, N., Kibitel, J., Canning, M. T., Smiles, K. A., and Yarosh, D. B. A comparison of the relative antioxidant potency of L-ergothioneine and idebenone. J Cosmet.Dermatol 2007;6(3):183-188.
Ey, J., Schomig, E., and Taubert, D. Dietary sources and antioxidant effects of ergothioneine. J Agric Food Chem 8-8-2007;55(16):6466-6474.
Kato, Y., Kubo, Y., Iwata, D., Kato, S., Sudo, T., Sugiura, T., Kagaya, T., Wakayama, T., Hirayama, A., Sugimoto, M., Sugihara, K., Kaneko, S., Soga, T., Asano, M., Tomita, M., Matsui, T., Wada, M., and Tsuji, A. Gene knockout and metabolome analysis of carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1. Pharm Res 2010;27(5):832-840.
Markova, N. G., Karaman-Jurukovska, N., Dong, K. K., Damaghi, N., Smiles, K. A., and Yarosh, D. B. Skin cells and tissue are capable of using L-ergothioneine as an integral component of their antioxidant defense system. Free Radic.Biol Med 4-15-2009;46(8):1168-1176.
Nakamura, T., Sugiura, S., Kobayashi, D., Yoshida, K., Yabuuchi, H., Aizawa, S., Maeda, T., and Tamai, I. Decreased proliferation and erythroid differentiation of K562 cells by siRNA-induced depression of OCTN1 (SLC22A4) transporter gene. Pharm Res 2007;24(9):1628-1635.
Smiles, K. A., Dong, K. K., Canning, M. T., Grimson, R., Walfield, A. M., and Yarosh, D. B. A hydroquinone formulation with increased stability and decreased potential for irritation. J Cosmet.Dermatol 2007;6(2):83-88.
Tahara, H., Yee, S. W., Urban, T. J., Hesselson, S., Castro, R. A., Kawamoto, M., Stryke, D., Johns, S. J., Ferrin, T. E., Kwok, P. Y., and Giacomini, K. M. Functional genetic variation in the basal promoter of the organic cation/carnitine transporters OCTN1 (SLC22A4) and OCTN2 (SLC22A5). J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2009;329(1):262-271.
Taubert, D., Jung, N., Goeser, T., and Schomig, E. Increased ergothioneine tissue concentrations in carriers of the Crohn's disease risk-associated 503F variant of the organic cation transporter OCTN1. Gut 2009;58(2):312-314.
Taubert, D., Lazar, A., Grimberg, G., Jung, N., Rubbert, A., Delank, K. S., Perniok, A., Erdmann, E., and Schomig, E. Association of rheumatoid arthritis with ergothioneine levels in red blood cells: a case control study. J Rheumatol 2006;33(11):2139-2145.
Toh, D. S., Koo, S. H., Limenta, L. M., Yee, J. Y., Murray, M., and Lee, E. J. Genetic variations of the SLC22A4 gene in Chinese and Indian populations of Singapore. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2009;24(5):475-481.
Turner, E., Brewster, J. A., Simpson, N. A., Walker, J. J., and Fisher, J. Imidazole-based erythrocyte markers of oxidative stress in preeclampsia--an NMR investigation. Reprod.Sci 2009;16(11):1040-1051.
Urban, T. J., Yang, C., Lagpacan, L. L., Brown, C., Castro, R. A., Taylor, T. R., Huang, C. C., Stryke, D., Johns, S. J., Kawamoto, M., Carlson, E. J., Ferrin, T. E., Burchard, E. G., and Giacomini, K. M. Functional effects of protein sequence polymorphisms in the organic cation/ergothioneine transporter OCTN1 (SLC22A4). Pharmacogenet.Genomics 2007;17(9):773-782.
Xiao, L., Zhao, L., Li, T., Hartle, D. K., Aruoma, O. I., and Taylor, E. W. Activity of the dietary antioxidant ergothioneine in a virus gene-based assay for inhibitors of HIV transcription. Biofactors 2006;27(1-4):157-165.