Ergothioneine: A Multifunctional Dietary Antioxidant with Emerging Therapeutic Potential

Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid obtained exclusively from dietary sources. It exhibits unique properties, including high redox stability, metal chelation, and selective tissue accumulation via OCTN1 and SLC22A15 transporters. This review emphasizes EGT’s roles in redox regulation, anti-inflammation, mitochondrial protection, and disease modulation. Special attention is given to its emerging potential in cancer therapy through necroptosis induction and tumor microenvironment modulation, as well as its synergistic prospects with nanomedicine. Furthermore, progress in microbial biosynthesis and engineered production platforms is discussed, along with safety profiles and dietary intake trends, which advocate for interdisciplinary efforts to harness its therapeutic potential.