What is putrescine? Chemicals with historical names.
Butane-1,4-diamine dihydrochloride is the chemical name describing the structure of a chemical discovered as putrescine. Putrescine and cadaverine were first described in 1885 by the German physician Ludwig Brieger. It’s used in skincare listed as the structural name or the Polyamine-DAB®, thus avoiding the ugly name. Although it can be isolated from plants it’s usually synthetic. Putrescine is a colorless solid that melts near room temperature. It is classified as a diamine. Together with cadaverine it’s largely responsible for the odor of putrefying flesh, but also contributes to other unpleasant odors. Putrescine is produced by the breakdown of fatty acids in the decaying tissue of dead bodies. Humans can process the smell of putrescine as a warning signal that mobilizes protective responses to deal with relevant threats. Putrescine is a component of bad breath, not a chemical to be used as a fragrance unless you want to frighten away people at the party!
What’s it, putrescine? Advertising for skin care describes it as a “growth factor,” but it isn’t in the category of epidermal growth factor unless you work in advertising.
In plants, putrescine plays a role in stress response, and its absence is associated with increased parasite and fungal infection. Applying putrescine and other polyamines can extend the shelf life of fruits by delaying the ripening process. Pre-harvest application of putrescine has been shown to increase plant resistance to high temperatures and drought.
In animals, putrescine plays a significant role in regulating cell division, differentiation, and maturation of cells, as well as apoptosis. A polycationic molecule, it stabilizes the DNA structure and participates in cell membranes’ functioning. The importance of polyamines in cell proliferation is well established. It may involve an interaction with the nuclear phosphoprotein p53, which plays an essential role in regulating various genes involved in cell growth and death. It can interact with a series of ion channels and has affinity for many receptors. Polyamines homeostasis is tightly regulated, supporting the idea that polyamines are essential to cell survival. Abnormalities in the control of polyamine metabolism might be implicated in several pathological processes. Because of its importance, using putrescine or other polyamines may have benefits in some circumstances but may also cause problems.
In Skin Actives we use spermidine (a derivative of putrescine and also a polyamine derived from ornithine) in our hair growth serum; we use it in minute concentrations found to promote keratinocyte proliferation.
References
Moinard, C., Cynober, L., & Debandt, J. (2005). Polyamines: metabolism and implications in human diseases. Clinical Nutrition, 24(2), 184–197. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2004.11.001
Pegg AE, McCann PP. Polyamine metabolism and function (1982). Am J Physiol. 243:C212-21. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.1982.243.5.C212. PMID: 6814260.
Roseeuw DI, Marcelo CL, Rhodes LM, Voorhees JJ. (1983) Epidermal keratinocytes actively maintain their intracellular polyamine levels. Cell Tissue Kinet. 16(5):493-504. PMID: 6192925.
Claims on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.