Ectoin

Products

In many countries, medical products containing Ectoin include the following:

• Triofan hay fever, nasal spray (2%) and eye drops (2%).
• Triofan Naturel, nasal spray (2%)
• Sanadermil EctoinAcute cream (7%, for dermatitis).
• Collypan Dry Eyes, eye drops (0.5% Ectoin, 0.2% sodium hyaluronate).

Structure and properties

Ectoine or 2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid (C₆H₁₀N₂O₂, M_r = 142.2 g/mol) exists as a white crystalline powder that is readily soluble in water. It is a natural substance formed by halophilic (“salt-loving”) bacteria. These use it to protect themselves from extreme environmental factors, such as high or low temperature, high salt concentration, desiccation and UV radiation. To prevent water loss at high salt concentrations, the bacteria accumulate these so-called “compatible solutes” in the cell interior. Ectoin is a strongly cosmotropic (water structure-forming) substance. It protects and stabilizes biopolymers such as proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids and cell membranes. The substance was discovered in 1985 in an Egyptian salt lake.

Effects

Ectoin stabilizes the natural structure of biological macromolecules in a physical way of so-called “preferential exclusion”. It enhances interactions between water molecules and lipids, thereby increasing the fluidity of cell membranes. It also forms protective and stabilizing water envelopes (ectoine hydro-complex) around biopolymers, thereby influencing their conformation (Figure, click to enlarge). Ectoin thus has cell-protecting, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing (water-binding), nourishing and membrane-stabilizing properties. The effects that Ectoin perceives for bacteria can also be transferred to human skin and mucosa.

Fields of application

• For the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or allergic conjunctivitis (Triofan hay fever).
• For the treatment and prevention of symptoms of rhinitis or sinusitis (Triofan Naturel).
• Skin redness and itching in the acute stage of dermatitis (Sanadermil EctoinAcute).
• For natural and long-lasting moisturization of dry eyes (Collypan Dry Eyes).

Dosage

According to the package leaflet. The creams are applied twice a day or as needed. They are massaged in gently until completely absorbed. Of the nasal sprays, 1-2 sprays are injected into the nostrils several times daily. Of the eye drops, 1-2 drops are placed in the eyes several times a day.

Interactions

Drug-drug interactions are not known. As a precaution, a time interval may be observed when administering other external agents (creams: 2 hours, eye drops: 15 minutes).

Contraindications

Ectoin is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity. Refer to the package insert for complete precautions.

Adverse effects

Ectoin is generally considered to be well tolerated. In isolated cases, temporary localized burning has been reported with the creams.