Ergothioneine Mediated Neuroprotective Effects in the Nervous System

Ergothioneine (EGT), a micromolecular derivative of histidine containing sulfur, is found in various organisms, including humans. It demonstrates antioxidant properties, reduces inflammation, and potentially possesses antiaging effects for neurodegenerative conditions, positioning EGT as a potential candidate for health enhancement and healthy aging. EGT appears to offer strong protective properties at the cellular level and shows decreased concentration levels in blood plasma in different neurological conditions such as cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, macular degeneration, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Further, emerging evidence from both preclinical and currently limited clinical studies indicates EGT's therapeutic potential for neurological disorders. For instance, EGT treatment slowed the progression of age-related hearing loss and alleviated the cisplatin-induced hearing loss in mouse models, especially in male mice. Similarly, EGT intervention in older adults (aged 60 years or older) has shown some effectiveness in improving cognitive ability, memory, and sleep quality. In this review, we present a thorough examination of its function in neuroprotection, particularly within the nervous system and explore its potential intracellular targeting pathways and their underlying mechanisms.