Methylsulfonylmethane MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane, abbreviated MSM, is an organic sulfur-containing compound that occurs naturally in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and in animals, including humans in at least trace amounts. MSM has also been found in such plants as Equisetem arvense, also known as horsetail. The biological role of MSM, if any, is not known. MSM is a metabolite of dimethyl sulfoxide or DMSO (see Dimethyl Sulfoxide). It is believed that some of the possible effects of DMSO could be attributed to MSM.
MSM is a water-soluble, solid compound. It is also known as dimethyl sulfone, DMSO2, sulfonylbismethane and methyl sulfone.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
ACTIONS
None known.
PHARMACOKINETICS
Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of MSM in humans. Sulfur from MSM was found to be incorporated into protein methionine and cysteine when fed to guinea pigs. MSM was also detected in the brain of a normal 62-year old male, following its ingestion, using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Thus, it appears that MSM gets absorbed and can cross the blood-brain barrier.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Claims for MSM include pain relief, particularly in arthritis, immune modulation in autoimmune disorders, muscle repair, sleep aid and diabetes therapy. There is no credible evidence to support any of these claims. There is very preliminary research suggesting some possible MSM anti-cancer effects.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Two animal studies showed that MSM and other bipolar solvents can prolong latency period to time of tumor appearance in chemically induced animal model cancers. In one of these studies, there was no effect on tumor incidence; in the other, MSM seemed to reduce the incidence of poorly differentiated tumors. More research is indicated.
There is no research to support other claims made for MSM.
CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS ADVERSE REACTIONS
CONTRAINDICATIONS
None known.
PRECAUTIONS
MSM should be avoided by pregnant women and nursing mothers.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Reported adverse reactions include nausea, diarrhea and headache.
OVERDOSAGE
There are no reports of overdosage.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Doses used are typically 1 to 3 grams daily.
HOW SUPPLIED
Powder — 2600 mg/0.5 teaspoonful
Tablets — 750 mg
LITERATURE
Childs SJ. Dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) in the treatment of interstitial cystitis. Urol Clin North Am. 1994; 21:85-98.
Kandorf H, Chirra AR, De Gruccio A, Girman DJ. Dimethyl sulfoxide modulation of diabetes onset in NOD mice. Diabetes. 1989; 38:194-197.
Kocsis JJ, Harkaway S, Snyder R. Biological effects of the metabolites of dimethyl sulfoxide. Ann NY Acad Sci. 1975; 243:104-109.
Layman DL. Growth inhibitory effects of dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl sulfone on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells in vitro. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol. 1987; 23:422-428.
Morton JI, Siegel BV. Effects of oral dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl sulfone on murine autoimmune lymphoproliferative disease. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1986; 183; 227-230.
O’Dwyer PJ, McCabe DP, Sickle-Santanello BJ, et al. Use of polar solvents in chemoprevention of 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer. Cancer. 1988; 62:944-948.
Pearson TW, Dawson HJ, Lackey HB. Natural occurring levels of dimethyl sulfoxide in selected fruits, vegetables, grains and beverages. J Agric Food Chem. 1989; 29:1089-1091.
Richmond VL, Incorporation of methylsulfonylmethane sulfur into guinea pig serum proteins. Life Sci. 1986; 39:263-268.
Rose SE, Chalk JB, Galloway GJ, Doddrell DM. Detection of dimethyl sulfone in the human brain by in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Magn Reson Imaging. 2000; 18:95-98.
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