Application Notes:
Phytosphingosine is a long-chain sphingoid base having important cellular functions such as signaling, cytoskeletal structure,
cellular cycle, and heat stress response. It is found largely in mammals, plants, and yeast. Phytosphingosine has seen much
use in cosmetics due to its effects on the skin such as reducing inflammation by inhibiting the expression of the allergic
cytokines IL-4 and TNF-α and the activation of the transcription factors NF-jB and c-jun in histamine-stimulated skin
tissues.1 Phytosphingosine can lead to apoptosis via two distinct pathways and has been investigated as a possible cancer
therapeutic treatment. Phytoceramides (fatty acid acylated to Phytosphingosine) are distributed at the microvillous
membrane of the epithelial cells of the small intestine. Crypt cells and the adjacent epithelial cells produce
phytosphingoglycolipids in much greater quantities than more differentiated epithelial cells.2 The kidney and skin also
contain phytosphingoglycolipids although in much lower concentrations than in the small intestine. Phytoceramides form
part of the water barrier lipids of the skin. 2-hydroxytetracosanoyl-phytoceramide has recently been shown to have
immunostimulating effects in humans.3 Phytoceramides have lately been studied in regards to their role in the central
nervous system and have been found to have important functions in neuroprotection.4
References:
1. K. Ryu et al. “Anti-scratching Behavioral Effects of N-Stearoylphytosphingosine and 4-Hydroxysphinganine in Mice” Lipids, Vol. 45 pp. 615-618, 2010
2. F. Omae et al. “DES2 protein is responsible for phytoceramide biosynthesis in the mouse small intestine” Journal of Biochemistry, vol. 379 pp. 687-695,
2004
3. M. Sekiya et al. “A phytoceramide analog stimulates the production of chemokines through CREB activation in human endothelial cells” Int
Immunopharmacol., vol. 11 pp. 1497-503, 2011
4. J-C. Jung et al. “Phytoceramide Shows Neuroprotection and Ameliorates Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment” Molecules, vol. 16 pp. 9090-9100,
2011