Lactoferrin is a multifunctional bifidogenic milk glycoprotein with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and plays the role of the main defense of the immune system. Recent studies have classified it as nutraceutical because of its ability to protect the mucosa. It can also lower cholesterol, prevent atherosclerosis, reduce body weight. 

Lactoferrin and other similar products in human milk create an environment for the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, limiting the formation of colonies with pathogenic bacteria (1). In fact, this glycoprotein competes with siderophores, small molecules capable of chelating iron, thus hindering bacterial proliferation.

Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions, lactoferrin exerts a neuroprotective action in senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (2).

Lactoferrin intake improved subjective skin moisture scores in healthy adults, and subjective skin moisture and texture scores in women in winter (3) and can also represent a potential pharmacological remedy for intestinal cell injury by reducing inflammation and inducing cell proliferation (4).

According to this study lactoferrin could be included as a possible safe topical therapeutic option in the treatment of psoriatic plaque (5).

Lactoferrin, what scientific research says 

Molecular Formula: C₁₄₁H₂₂₆N₄₆O₂₉S₃

Molecular Weight: 3125.8 g/mol

CAS: 151186-19-5

EC Number: 604-775-1

MDL number MFCD00164307

NACRES NA.61

Synonyms: 

• Lactotransferrin

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Lactoferrin infant feeding trial_Canada (LIFT_Canada): protocol for a randomized trial of adding lactoferrin to feeds of very-low-birth-weight preterm infants.  Asztalos EV, Barrington K, Lodha A, Tarnow-Mordi W, Martin A.  BMC Pediatr. 2020 Jan 29;20(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12887-020-1938-0.

(2) Dietary Lactoferrin Supplementation Prevents Memory Impairment and Reduces Amyloid-β Generation in J20 Mice.  Abdelhamid M, Jung CG, Zhou C, Abdullah M, Nakano M, Wakabayashi H, Abe F, Michikawa M.  J Alzheimers Dis. 2020 Jan 24. doi: 10.3233/JAD-191181

(3) Effects of Lactoferrin on Subjective Skin Conditions in Winter: A Preliminary, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.  Oda H, Miyakawa M, Mizuki M, Misawa Y, Tsukahara T, Tanaka M, Yamauchi K, Abe F, Nomiyama T.  Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019 Dec 2;12:875-880. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S228153

(4) Protective effects of lactoferrin on injured intestinal epithelial cells.  Liu J, Li B, Lee C, Zhu H, Zheng S, Pierro A.  J Pediatr Surg. 2019 Dec;54(12):2509-2513. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.08.046.

(5) Topical lactoferrin can improve stable psoriatic plaque.  Saraceno R, Gramiccia T, Chimenti S, Valenti P, Pietropaoli M, Bianchi L.  G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2014 Jun;149(3):335-40.