INTRODUCTION
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) [dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) and methyl sulfone] is an organic sulfur-containing compound that occurs naturally in vegetables, grains, animals as well as human body. [A2] MSM is the oxidized form of dimethyl-sulfoxide (DSMO); it is used as an natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. [2] Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has been promoted to have multiple health benefits and for treating osteoarthritis, pain, inflammation, allergies, and the maintenance of normal keratin levels in hair, skin and nails. In this article, we are going to review multiple key findings about this naturally occurring compound.
BASIC BIOLOGICAL STUDIES
A study has demonstrated that MSM is able to cross the blood-brain barrier in significant concentrations after oral dosing. Further, MSM was found to distribute evenly throughout the brain. [A1] An in vitro study further demonstrates its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities on hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and hypochlorous acid. [A3]
USE OF METHYLSULFONLMETHANE (MSM) IN FOOD PRODUCTS
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is GRAS for use as an ingredient in meal supplement and meal replacement foods, fruit smoothie-type drinks, and fruit-flavored thirst quencher-type beverages at levels up to 4,000 mg/kg and in food bars such as granola bars and energy-type bars at levels up to 30,000 mg/kg provided that food standards of identity do not preclude such use. (GRAS Notice No. GRN 000229)
POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF METHYLSULFONLMETHANE (MSM)
Its Potential Health on Allergy, Asthma
A study of 50 subjects demonstrated multiple dose of 2600 mg of MSM was able to reduce allergy symptoms in 7 days. [A4] In an another study of healthy subjects with a history of allergic nasal congestion, Susan Hewlings and Douglas S Kalman found MSM treatment courses significantly reduced visual analog scale average nasal symptoms in a longitudinal comparison across all participants, with low-dose treatments decreasing symptoms by 53.72%. [D2]
Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling of the airways. Remodeling is resistant to pharmaceutical therapies. In a recent cell study, Fang L and co-workers found that Zn-Sal-methylsulfonylmethane and Zn-Sal potentially prevent airway wall remodeling in asthma by inhibition of both the Erk1/2 and mTOR signaling pathways.Mass spectrometry indicated that Zn-Sal-MSM modified the expression of several signaling proteins and zinc-dependent enzymes. [D1]
Potential Health Benefits on Autoimmune Diseases
MSM may also benefit subjects suffered from autoimmune disease, as a rat study demonstrated that treatment of DMSO or DMSO2 led to significant diminishment of lymphoid organ enlargement. [A7]
Potential Health Benefits on Osteoarthritis
In May of 2009, Brien S and co-workers from Aldermoor Health Centre, UK, concluded that MSM has no significant effect in the reduction of pain in the treatment of osteoarthritis from a review of several studies. [3] However, in another study of 55 people suffered from knee osteoarthritis, researchers from Southwest College Research Institute found dose of 3 g of MSM twice a day benefited the users, with a significant decrease in pain and physical function impairment as evidence. [1] Further, Debbi EM and co-workers from Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Israel, also found MSM supplementation is useful on osteoarthritis of the knee - an improvement in pain and physical function. The treated group took MSM in doses of 1.125 grams 3 times a day for 12 weeks. The inconsistency of studies could be related to different brands, doses and conditions involved.
However, the users may gain better MSM benefits, when it is in use with glucosamine. Indian researchers compared the efficacy and safety of oral glucosamine (500 mg), methylsulfonylmethane (MSM; 500 mg), and their combination with a placebo three times daily in treating osteoarthritis of the knee for 12 weeks. They found that MSM significantly decreased a pain index, and the combination resulted in a more significant decrease in the mean pain index. The combination therapy also worked very well in the swelling index. They concluded that glucosamine, MSM and their combination produced an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in osteoarthritis. Combination therapy might offer better benefits to people suffered from osteoarthritis as they showed better efficacy in reducing pain and swelling and in improving the functional ability of joints than the individual agents. [C2]
Potential Health Benefits on Certain Types of Cancers
Two studies of rats also demonstrated a significant reduction in the time to tumor onset in rats treated with MSM. [A5, A6] In another study of human breast cancer cells, MSM effectively regulated multiple targets including STAT3/VEGF and STAT5b/IGF-1R. These are the major molecules involved in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. [C1] In another study, MSM showed cytotoxic effect on gastrointestinal cancer cell lines by apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. [C3] While Doh Hoon Kim and colleagues found MSM has anti-cancer effects on HT-29 cells, and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, while suppressing the stemness potential. [D3]
Potential Health Benefits on Colitis
In a study, colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 1 ml of 5% of acetic acid. Rats were treated with MSM (dosage: 400 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 days. MSM decreased macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage scores caused by administration of acetic acid. MSM treatment also significantly reduced colonic levels of malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. [C4]
Potential Health Benefits on Edema
The effect of topical application of a lotion containing MSM+EDTA was studied in a double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. In phase 1, patients having swelling in the lower extremities were randomly distributed to receive the MSM+EDTA lotion or a placebo alone. In the second phase, patients were given MSM as placebo followed by MSM+EDTA lotion for 2 weeks. The circumference of calf, ankle and foot for both legs were observed to decline significantly after 2 weeks of application of the lotion/ but not placebo. However, application of MSM alone increased the swelling. [C5]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Most of the studies were done in animals, it is unknown if the results can be repeated if it is used in human. Further, its healh benefit effects depend on the source of the products and how it is used. This article is NOT a medical advice.
REFERENCE
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[C1] Lim EJ et al, Methylsulfonylmethane Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth by Down-Regulating STAT3 and STAT5b Pathways. PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e33361.
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[C5] Tripathi R et al, Effect of topical application of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), EDTA on pitting edema and oxidative stress in a double blind, placebo-controlled study. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2011 Feb 12;57(1):62-9.
[D1] Fang L et al, Zinc salicylate reduces airway smooth muscle cells remodelling by blocking mTOR and activating p21(Waf1/Cip1), J Nutr Biochem. 2021 Mar:89:108563.
[D2] Susan Hewlings et al, Evaluating the Impacts of Methylsulfonylmethane on Allergic Rhinitis After a Standard Allergen Challenge: Randomized Double-Blind Exploratory Study, JMIR Res Protoc. 2018 Nov 29;7(11):e11139.
[D3] Doh Hoon Kim et al, Methylsulfonylmethane Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis, and Suppresses the Stemness Potential of HT-29 Cells, Anticancer Res. 2020 Sep;40(9):5191-5200