Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Primary Culture of Mouse Dopaminergic Neurons
Published on: September 8, 2014
Ergothioneine Mediated Neuroprotective Effects in the Nervous System
Tanusree Saha1,2, Robert D Frisina3,4,5, Xiaoxia Zhu3,4
1Department of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, India.
Abstract:
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.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action