Ergothioneine is a rare natural amino acid and a powerful antioxidant, which is synthesized by microorganisms such as actinomycetes, cyanobacteria, some fungi (e.g., Streptomyces, Mycobacterium, etc.) and mushrooms. It has received extensive attention in recent years. In this article, we will focus on understanding its potential effects on skin protection, anti-depression and ocular diseases.

Skin protection

When it comes to protecting the skin, EGT shows a characteristic of accumulating over time and depending on its concentration. Unlike some antioxidants that have low bioavailability and get cleared out quickly, EGT has better bioavailability and can effectively stop oxidative damage. Also, after the skin is exposed to UV rays, EGT helps cells repair their DNA. It stops single-strand DNA breaks, holds back cell death (apoptosis), and makes cells more viable. All these things mean that EGT and its receptor/transport protein OCTN1 are really important parts of the skin's antioxidant defense system.