Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41299111›Full record

ReviewDrug delivery and translational research2026

Ectoine as a multifunctional molecule: biotechnological production and pharmaceutical applications.

Patrícia Ferreira, Janaína Artem Ataide, Soraya Babaie, Amélia C F Vieira, Gustavo Costa, Patrícia C Pires, Priscila Gava Mazzola, Francisco Veiga, Laura Ferreira, Ana Cláudia Paiva-Santos

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Drug delivery and translational research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Patrícia FerreiraDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal.
Janaína Artem AtaideSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Riberão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brasil.ORCID 0000-0002-1929-9474
Soraya BabaiePhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.ORCID 0000-0003-0259-2866
Amélia C F VieiraDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-3747-9708
Gustavo CostaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-9359-6346
Patrícia C PiresDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-0036-4894
Priscila Gava MazzolaFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-871, SP, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0002-3795-8189
Francisco VeigaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-1041-0068
Laura FerreiraDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-8532-6207
Ana Cláudia Paiva-SantosDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal. acsantos@ff.uc.pt.ORCID 0000-0003-2710-6000

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Traditional topical therapies can have considerable side effects, leading to the research for natural and biocompatible alternatives. Ectoine, a natural osmolyte produced by extremophilic microorganisms, possesses an extraordinary ability to bind water molecules and stabilize membranes, with powerful moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a multifunctional and valuable molecule for topical applications. Pre-clinical and clinical data confirm that ectoine-based creams increase skin moisture, improve the skin's barrier function, and reduce inflammation, effectively alleviating the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. In addition, ectoine can be used in nasal sprays, providing substantial relief from the symptoms of rhinosinusitis, such as nasal congestion and irritation of the mucous membranes, without the adverse effects associated with the usual decongestants. In ophthalmic formulations, ectoine-containing eye drops moisturize, stabilize the tear film, and relieve irritation and itching, making them a viable option for the ocular symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and the long-term treatment of dry eye disease. Therefore, ectoine is crucial in developing treatments that improve patients' quality of life by offering a safer alternative to conventional therapies.Briefly, this review aims to explore the topical applications, characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ectoine, focusing on its efficacy and safety in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, rhinosinusitis, rhinitis sicca, dry eye disease, and allergic conjunctivitis. Moreover, biotechnological methods for producing ectoine are outlined, highlighting advances in microbial synthesis and process optimization for more sustainable technology, as well as showing ectoine-containing products and their position on the market.

Indexed as

Amino Acids, DiaminoAnti-Inflammatory AgentsAnimalsBiotechnologyDermatitis, AtopicHumansOphthalmic SolutionsAmino Acids, DiaminoAnti-Inflammatory AgentsectoineOphthalmic SolutionsClinical studiesEctoineMoisturizing effectsPharmaceutical applicationsSkin protectionTopical formulations

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.