Ectoine, found in Halophiles that survive in extreme environments, has the most crucial role as an osmoprotectant to protect the activities of cells. In addition, it can form a hydration layer outside the cells, reduce the impact of allergens on cells, ease the development of inflammation, and play a role in relieving inflammation.
When inflammation occurs, allergens, pollutants, and environmental damage will affect the activities of cells, and allergens will invade the cells, leading to the failure of the activities of cells. Ectoine protects the cell by hydrating the cell membranes, protecting the cells from external agents such as allergens, pollutants, and environmental insults. In addition, Ectoine binds with water molecules, increasing the hydration of the surface and thus increasing the mobility of the lipid head groups and fluidizing the lipid layer accordingly. This fluidizing effect further protects the cell membrane structure.
The effect of ectoine on inflammation can be used in nasal care products. There are more than 300 million rhinitis patients in China, and the market potential for nasal care solutions for relieving rhinitis symptoms is huge. The core products on the market are isotonic or hypertonic products based on sea salt. The compounding of ectoine in such products can not only satisfy the effect of cleaning the nasal cavity but also protect the nasal cavity cells, reduce the impact caused by the hypertonic environment, and relieve inflammation.
Ectoine showed a protective effect on the nasal mucous epithelial cell in the dry environment. In the experiment, the proliferation rate of nasal mucosa epithelial cells decreased by 22.74% after drying, and the addition of different concentrations of ectoine significantly improved the post-cell proliferation rate. In another set of experiments, after the damaged cells were incubated with ectoine for 24 hours, the cell migration rate increased, and the area of cell damage was significantly reduced, which proved that ectoine has the effect of protecting cells and repairing the damage.
As a natural substance, ectoine has good safety, compatibility, and tolerability. Its chemical properties are stable, and operations such as sterilization and pH adjustment in the end product's production process will not affect ectoine's stability. Based on its fermentation research and development platform, Bloomage Biotech has developed high-purity, stable, and high-quality Bloomecto™ ectoine raw materials, which can be used in nasal spray medical device products. At the same time, based on in-depth technical research, Bloomage Biotech can provide formula and efficacy support for medical device manufacturers and accelerate the development and launch of end products.