Metilsulfonilmetano (Dimethyl Sulfone) o Metil sulfonil metano o MSM è un composto organico  contenente zolfo che appartiene ad una classe di componenti chimici chiamati solfoni e viene utilizzato come integratore alimentare per migliorare i segni dell'invecchiamento. In pratica è un composto organosolfuro utilizzato nei cosmetici e nei prodotti per la cura personale per le sue proprietà lenitive, antiossidanti e condizionanti. È noto per migliorare la salute della pelle e dei capelli, promuovendo elasticità e idratazione, ed è ampiamente apprezzato anche nelle applicazioni mediche per i suoi benefici rigenerativi.

Composizione chimica e struttura
Metilsulfonilmetano  è un composto organico di zolfo con la formula chimica (CH₃)₂SO₂. È caratterizzato dalla presenza di due gruppi metilici legati a un gruppo solfonico, che contribuiscono alle sue proprietà bioattive e alla sua capacità di penetrare nei tessuti.

Proprietà fisico-chimiche

• Aspetto: Polvere bianca cristallina o cristalli incolori.
• Solubilità: Solubile in acqua e solventi polari.
• Odore: Neutro o leggermente solforoso.
• Stabilità: Stabile in un ampio range di pH e temperature.

Processo di produzione
Metilsulfonilmetano   viene prodotto sinteticamente attraverso l'ossidazione di dimetil solfuro (DMS) utilizzando ossigeno o altri agenti ossidanti. Questo processo garantisce un composto puro, privo di contaminanti, ideale per applicazioni cosmetiche e mediche.

• Medicina:

  • Utilizzato per trattamenti topici e integratori per il supporto della salute delle articolazioni, la riduzione dell'infiammazione e la promozione della rigenerazione dei tessuti.
  • Impiegato in dermatologia per migliorare la guarigione di ferite e alleviare disturbi cutanei.

• Cosmetici:

  • Cura della pelle: Incorporato in creme e sieri per le sue proprietà lenitive e idratanti. Aiuta a migliorare l’elasticità della pelle e a ridurre segni di irritazione e arrossamenti.
  • Cura dei capelli: Usato in shampoo e balsami per rafforzare i capelli, migliorare la lucentezza e prevenire la rottura.
  • Make-up: Favorisce una texture uniforme e migliora l’applicazione di fondotinta e altri prodotti.

Funzioni INCI

Solvente. E' la sostanza che consente di sciogliere o disperdere, in soluzione, tensioattivi, oli, coloranti, aromi, conservanti battericidi. In pratica scioglie altri componenti presenti in una formulazione cosmetica. I solventi sono generalmente liquidi (acquosi e non acquosi).

Agente di controllo della viscosità. Controlla e adatta, aumentando o diminuendo, la viscosità al livello richiesto per una stabilità chimica e fisica ottimale del prodotto e del dosaggio in gel, sospensioni, emulsioni, soluzioni. 

Studi

E' un metabolita che si trova nel liquido cerebrospinale umano e nel plasma sanguigno. Deriva da fonti alimentari quali frutta, verdura, cereali, latte,  dal metabolismo del metanetiolo endogeno umano e dal metabolismo batterico intestinale (1).

Questo studio ha dimostrato che Metilsulfonilmetano è efficace nel ridurre i segni visivi dell'invecchiamento cutaneo anche a basse dosi di 1 g/d. (2).

E' un farmaco potenziale per l'inibizione del cortisolo (il cortisolo è un ormone coinvolto nello stress durante l'esercizio fisico) nelle cellule muscolari scheletriche dei cavalli da corsa (3).

Metilsulfonilmetano potrebbe promuovere la differenziazione e il potenziale osteogenico delle cellule staminali da cellule umane dentali decidue esfoliate. Questa proprietà osteogenica è più evidente in presenza di particelle ossee mineralizzate (4).

Metilsulfonilmetano somministrato a basso dosaggio (200 mM) è in grado di ridurre la migrazione e l'invasione delle cellule tumorali della prostata (5).

Metilsulfonilmetano. Cosa dice la ricerca scientifica

Formula molecolare: C₂H₆O₂S

Peso molecolare: 325.4 g/mol

CAS: 67-71-0

EC Number: 200-665-9

DSSTox Substance ID: DTXSID4043937

UNII 9H4PO4Z4FT 

Sinonimi: 

• Dimethyl sulphone
• methylsulfone
• Sulfonylbismethane
• Methane, sulfonylbis-
• sulfonyldimethane
• 2-Thiapropane2,2-dioxide
• 2-methylthioacetic acid ethylester

Bibliografia_________________________________________________

(1) Engelke UF, Tangerman A, Willemsen MA, Moskau D, Loss S, Mudd SH, Wevers RA. Dimethyl sulfone in human cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma confirmed by one-dimensional (1)H and two-dimensional (1)H-(13)C NMR. NMR Biomed. 2005 Aug;18(5):331-6. doi: 10.1002/nbm.966. 

(2) Muizzuddin N, Benjamin R. Beauty from within: Oral administration of a sulfur-containing supplement methylsulfonylmethane improves signs of skin ageing. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2022 Jul;92(3-4):182-191. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000643. .

Abstract. Background: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound with known benefits for joint health, sports nutrition, immune function, and anti-aging formulations and is gaining popularity as a nutritional supplement for the support of hair, skin and nails. Methods: The study was conducted in two steps; in Part I (pilot study) a panel of 20 participants ingested either 3 g a day of MSM or placebo capsules for 16 weeks. Visual and subject self assessment of wrinkles and skin texture as the predominant sign of ageing was observed. In Part II (dose-response study), 63 participants ingested either 1 g or 3 g per day of MSM for 16 weeks. Expert clinical grading, instrumental measurements and consumer perception was used to evaluate skin conditions like lines and wrinkles. Additionally, instrumentational analysis was conducted using corneometer and cutometer for investigation of skin hydration, firmness and elasticity. Results: Part I of the study clearly indicates that oral ingestion of MSM (3 g/d) reduces signs of ageing like facial wrinkles (p < 0.05) and skin roughness (p < 0.05) as compared to placebo. Detailed analysis in Part II instrumentation assessments showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement from baseline in the severity of facial wrinkles, as well as improved skin firmness, elasticity and hydration with MSM. Some of these parameters exhibited a good dose-response indicating that the higher (3 g/d) of the supplement was more effective than the lower dose of 1 g/d, but generally the lower dose of 1 g/d appeared to be sufficiently effective in reducing the facial signs of ageing. Conclusion: This study indicated that MSM is effective in reducing visual signs of skin ageing even at a low dose of 1 g/d.

(3) Sp N, Kang DY, Kim DH, Lee HG, Park YM, Kim IH, Lee HK, Cho BW, Jang KJ, Yang YM. Methylsulfonylmethane inhibits cortisol-induced stress through p53-mediated SDHA/HPRT1 expression in racehorse skeletal muscle cells: A primary step against exercise stress. Exp Ther Med. 2020 Jan;19(1):214-222. doi: 10.3892/etm.2019.8196

Abstract. Cortisol is a hormone involved in stress during exercise. The application of natural compounds is a new potential approach for controlling cortisol-induced stress. Tumour suppressor protein p53 is activated during cellular stress. Succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (HPRT1) are considered to be two of the most stable reference genes when measuring stress during exercise in horses. In the present study cells were considered to be in a 'stressed state' if the levels of these stable genes and the highly stress responsive gene p53 were altered. It was hypothesized that a natural organic sulphur-containing compound, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), could inhibit cortisol-induced stress in racing horse skeletal muscle cells by regulating SDHA, HPRT1 and p53 expression. After assessing cell viability using MTT assays, 20 µg/ml cortisol and 50 mM MSM were applied to horse skeletal muscle cell cultures. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis demonstrated increases in SDHA, HPRT1 and p53 expression in cells in response to cortisol treatment, which was inhibited or normalized by MSM treatment. To determine the relationship between p53 and SDHA/HPRT1 expression at a transcriptional level, horse gene sequences of SDHA and HPRT1 were probed to identify novel binding sites for p53 in the gene promoters, which were confirmed using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The relationship between p53 and SDHA/HPRT1 expression was confirmed using western blot analysis following the application of pifithrin-α, a p53 inhibitor. These results suggested that MSM is a potential candidate drug for the inhibition of cortisol-induced stress in racehorse skeletal muscle cells.

(4) Aljohani H, Senbanjo LT, Chellaiah MA. Methylsulfonylmethane increases osteogenesis and regulates the mineralization of the matrix by transglutaminase 2 in SHED cells. PLoS One. 2019 Dec 5;14(12):e0225598. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225598.

Abstract. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring, sulfate-containing, organic compound. It has been shown to stimulate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblast-like cells and bone formation. In this study, we investigated whether MSM influences the differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) into osteoblast-like cells and their osteogenic potential. Here, we report that MSM induced osteogenic differentiation through the expression of osteogenic markers such as osterix, osteopontin, and RUNX2, at both mRNA and protein levels in SHED cells. An increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and mineralization confirmed the osteogenic potential of MSM. These MSM-induced effects were observed in cells grown in basal medium but not osteogenic medium. MSM induced transglutaminase-2 (TG2), which may be responsible for the cross-linking of extracellular matrix proteins (collagen or osteopontin), and the mineralization process. Inhibition of TG2 ensued a significant decrease in the differentiation of SHED cells and cross-linking of matrix proteins. A comparison of mineralization with the use of mineralized and demineralized bone particles in the presence of MSM revealed that mineralization is higher with mineralized bone particles than with demineralized bone particles. In conclusion, these results indicated that MSM could promote differentiation and osteogenic potential of SHED cells. This osteogenic property is more in the presence of mineralized bone particles. TG2 is a likely cue in the regulation of differentiation and mineral deposition of SHED cells in response to MSM.

(5) Kowalska K, Habrowska-Górczyńska DE, Domińska K, Urbanek KA, Piastowska-Ciesielska AW. Methylsulfonylmethane (organic sulfur) induces apoptosis and decreases invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2018 Dec;64:101-111. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.10.001.