Ergothionein has antioxidant effects

Ergothionein is a natural amino acid derived from plants and can accumulate in animals. Studies have shown that it has antioxidant properties. It can effectively clear - OH, chelate divalent iron and copper ions, prevent H2O2 from generating - OH under the action of iron or copper ions, and inhibit the oxidation of copper dependent oxygenated hemoglobin. It can also inhibit the peroxidation reaction of arachidonic acid that occurs when myoglobin (or hemoglobin) is mixed with H2O2. Ergothionein can also strongly scavenge hypochlorous acid, thereby preventing the inactivation of A1- antiprotease. However, it cannot inhibit the peroxidation reaction of lipid particles in the presence of iron ions. AKanmu D et al. found that a certain concentration of ergothionein can act as an antioxidant in the body.