ABSTRACT
Introduction 365
Chemical Structure 366
Biological and Pharmacological Actions 366
Nicotinic Receptors 367
Muscarinic Receptors 368
Possible Roles of DMAE 369
Anti-inflammatory 369
Free-Radical Scavenger 369
Skin Firmness 369
Sagging 370
Safety 370
Conclusion 371
References 371
INTRODUCTION
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), a new anti-aging firming ingredient used in the
cosmetic skin care market, has a long history of investigation in the treatment of
mood and hyper-kinetic disorders (1), enhancement of memory (2) and learning,
and behavioral disorders in children (3,4) thanks to its activity as a precursor of
choline and cholinergic neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Dr. N. Perricone
first utilized it for a cosmetic application due to its firming and anti-aging benefits
(5). Moreover, it was patented in 1999 as a skin permeation enhancer (6). Recent
evidence suggests a nonneuronal role for DMAE, since ACh has been shown to
act as an autocrine and paracrine factor, regulating basic cellular functions such
as mitosis, differentiation, cell-cell contact, cytoskeletal organization, secretion,
absorption, trophic and locomotor functions, as well as barrier and immune
functions (7,8).
