Lactoferrin: Your Natural Bodyguard

Lactoferrin is a powerful, multifunctional glycoprotein naturally present in our bodies. [1] Certain body fluids including tears, saliva and breast milk contain high levels of Lactoferrin. [2,3] High concentrations of Lactoferrin is found in breast milk right after giving birth (around 5g/L) [4]. The high concentration of Lactoferrin not only aids the defence against bacteria, viruses [5] and fungi [6], but also acts as a bodyguard to help you stay safe and healthy!

A Journey Inside Your Body

  • The Protector

    Lactoferrin’s high affinity for free iron can deprive microbes of the free iron necessary for their growth and suppress its reproduction ability to prevent the emergence of ailments within the body. [7]

  • The Defender

    Lactoferrin is known to have direct interaction with bacterial surfaces and help damage the external membranes of certain bacteria [8]. It assists white blood cells in controlling several types of tumors and microbial infections by limiting their spread and subsequent tissue damage [9].

  • The Supporter

    Lactoferrin’s act of binding free iron not only improves the absorption of iron in the gut, but also supports red blood cells with oxygen transportation, reducing fatigue while ensuring adequate supply of energy to meet the needs of everyday tasks. [10]

  • Antibacterial

    The ability of Lactoferrin in inhibiting the growth of a wide range of pathogens has been extensively studied [13]. Due to its ability to take up free iron, Lactoferrin effectively limits bacteria from using this trace element at the infection site, inhibiting bacterial growth as a result. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that Lactoferrin can also directly damage the bacterial cell surface [14][15] through an iron-independent mechanism [16], inducing bacterial cell death.

  • Antiviral

    Lactoferrin triggers strong antiviral activity against a broad range of DNA and RNA viruses that infect humans and animals [18]. It suppresses the entry of viral particles into host cells by directly attaching to the viral particles or blocking their cellular receptors (spike proteins).Lactoferrin effectively prevents infection through preventing the first contact between the virus and the targeted host cell. Within the host cell, Lactoferrin helps inhibit the viral replication, [19] reducing viral loads and slowing down the spreading of viruses.A wide range of scientific studies have shown the effects of Lactoferrin towards Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) [20], COVID-19 [21], Herpes [22], Hepatitis C [23][24], Rotavirus (most common causes of diarrhoea) [25], Norovirus 26], and other viral infections.

  • Anti-inflammatory

    As a modulator of the innate immune system [27], Lactoferrin responds to pathogenic and non-pathogenic injuries through its ability to transport iron and direct reactive oxygen intermediates in and around inflammatory sites [28]. Through this iron and antioxidative transmission mechanism, Lactoferrin not only helps to heal inflammation, but also regulate the body’s defence system [29] to lessen tissue damage caused by excessive inflammatory responses [30].The anti-inflammatory function has been demonstrated in preclinical and clinical studies of dermal inflammatory as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal inflammation [31].

  • Antifungal

    Various antifungal functions of Lactoferrin have been reported, including a wide spectrum of activity across yeasts and moulds [32]. First discovered in 1971, the antifungal properties of Lactoferrin are attributed to the iron binding and transporting mechanism of Lactoferrin and its peptides [33].Later, Lactoferrin has been demonstrated to mediate antifungal activity through the stimulation of the host cell immune mechanism [34], and by altering the permeability of the cell surface to cause damage to the fungal cell wall [35][36].

  • Gut Health

    Lactoferrin modulates the composition, abundance, balance of probiotics and enhances the growth of certain selected probiotic strains such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli [27]. Gut health not only covers the health of the entire digestive system, but a study also showed that Lactoferrin regulates metabolic disorders by balancing intestinal flora [28].

  • Immune Support

    Lactoferrin has been considered as a cell-secreted mediator that links innate and adaptive immune responses [2]. Lactoferrin boosts immune response not only by the 5 “ANTI” functions mentioned above, but also through its ability to stimulate the growth of immune cells, regulate their activation, and guide their movement [30].

  • Skin health

    The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Lactoferrin makes it an appealing addition to skin health products. These properties inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria [31], neutralize the overabundant immune response, and promote the healing of skin wounds [32].  

  • Bone Strength

    Lactoferrin has a direct effect on bone tissue regeneration and growth through stimulating the growth and activity of chondrocytes and osteoblasts.

  • Anemia Recovery

    Lactoferrin has a direct effect on bone tissue regeneration and growth through stimulating the growth and activity of chondrocytes and osteoblasts. A study in 2016 discovered that Lactoferrin can reinforce bone healing processes by inducing a mitogenic effect on the osteoblasts close to the wound, and activating two kinases of osteoblast cells [33].

  • Cancer

    Studies have shown that Lactoferrin emerges as a promising anticancer agent due to its well-demonstrated anticancer and anti-metastatic activities against a range of human cancer types [35].In experimental studies, Lactoferrin has been found to significantly inhibit breast [47], colon[48], oesophagus [49, lung [50] and bladder cancer [51][52].

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Foot Note

[1] González-Chávez, S. A., Arévalo-Gallegos, S., & Rascón-Cruz, Q. (2009). Lactoferrin: structure, function and applications. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 33(4), 301.e1–301.e3018.
[2] van der Strate, B. W., Beljaars, L., Molema, G., Harmsen, M. C., & Meijer, D. K. (2001). Antiviral activities of lactoferrin. Antiviral research, 52(3), 225–239.
[3] Rodríguez-Franco, D. A., Vázquez-Moreno, L., & Ramos-Clamont Montfort, G. (2005). Actividad antimicrobiana de la lactoferrina: mecanismos y aplicaciones clínicas potenciales [Antimicrobial mechanisms and potential clinical application of lactoferrin]. Revista latinoamericana de microbiologia, 47(3-4), 102–111.
[4] Czosnykowska-Łukacka, M., Orczyk-Pawiłowicz, M., Broers, B., & Królak-Olejnik, B. (2019). Lactoferrin in Human Milk of Prolonged Lactation. Nutrients, 11(10), 2350.
[5] Kell, D. B., Heyden, E. L., & Pretorius, E. (2020). The Biology of Lactoferrin, an Iron-Binding Protein That Can Help Defend Against Viruses and Bacteria. Frontiers in immunology, 11, 1221.
[6] Fernandes, K. E., & Carter, D. A. (2017). The Antifungal Activity of Lactoferrin and Its Derived Peptides: Mechanisms of Action and Synergy with Drugs against Fungal Pathogens. Frontiers in microbiology, 8, 2.
[7] Legrand D. (2016). Overview of Lactoferrin as a Natural Immune Modulator. The Journal of pediatrics, 173 Suppl, S10–S15.
[8[ Actor, J. K., Hwang, S. A., & Kruzel, M. L. (2009). Lactoferrin as a natural immune modulator. Current pharmaceutical design, 15(17), 1956–1973.
[9[ Vivier, E., Tomasello, E., Baratin, M., Walzer, T., & Ugolini, S. (2008). Functions of natural killer cells. Nature immunology, 9(5), 503–510.
[10] Vivier, E., Tomasello, E., Baratin, M., Walzer, T., & Ugolini, S. (2008). Functions of natural killer cells. Nature immunology, 9(5), 503–510.
[11] González-Chávez, S. A., Arévalo-Gallegos, S., & Rascón-Cruz, Q. (2009). Lactoferrin: structure, function and applications. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 33(4), 301.e1–301.e3018.
[12] Legrand D. (2016). Overview of Lactoferrin as a Natural Immune Modulator. The Journal of pediatrics, 173 Suppl, S10–S15.
[13] González-Chávez, S. A., Arévalo-Gallegos, S., & Rascón-Cruz, Q. (2009). Lactoferrin: structure, function and applications. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 33(4), 301.e1–301.e3018.
[14] Kalmar, J. R., & Arnold, R. R. (1988). Killing of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans by human lactoferrin. Infection and immunity, 56(10), 2552–2557.
[15] Bortner, C. A., Arnold, R. R., & Miller, R. D. (1989). Bactericidal effect of lactoferrin on Legionella pneumophila: effect of the physiological state of the organism. Canadian journal of microbiology, 35(11), 1048–1051.
[16] Valenti, P., & Antonini, G. (2005). Lactoferrin: an important host defence against microbial and viral attack. Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, 62(22), 2576–2587.
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[18] van der Strate, B. W., Beljaars, L., Molema, G., Harmsen, M. C., & Meijer, D. K. (2001). Antiviral activities of lactoferrin. Antiviral research, 52(3), 225–239.
[19] Qiu, J., Hendrixson, D. R., Baker, E. N., Murphy, T. F., St Geme, J. W., 3rd, & Plaut, A. G. (1998). Human milk lactoferrin inactivates two putative colonization factors expressed by Haemophilus influenzae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 95(21), 12641–12646.
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[21] Chang, R., Ng, T. B., & Sun, W. Z. (2020). Lactoferrin as potential preventative and adjunct treatment for COVID-19. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 56(3), 106118.
[22] Hasegawa, K., Motsuchi, W., Tanaka, S., & Dosako, S. (1994). Inhibition with lactoferrin of in vitro infection with human herpes virus. Japanese journal of medical science & biology, 47(2), 73–85.
[23] Nozaki, A., Tanaka, K., Naganuma, A., & Kato, N. (2002). Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine, 60(4), 819–829.
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[25] Superti, F., Ammendolia, M. G., Valenti, P., & Seganti, L. (1997). Antirotaviral activity of milk proteins: lactoferrin prevents rotavirus infection in the enterocyte-like cell line HT-29. Medical microbiology and immunology, 186(2-3), 83–91.
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[27] Legrand D, Elass E, Carpentier M, Mazurier J. Interactions of lactoferrin with cells involved in immune function. Biochem Cell Biol. 2006 Jun;84(3):282-90.
[28] Legrand D. (2016). Overview of Lactoferrin as a Natural Immune Modulator. The Journal of pediatrics, 173 Suppl, S10–S15.
[29] Drago-Serrano, M. E., Campos-Rodríguez, R., Carrero, J. C., & de la Garza, M. (2017). Lactoferrin: Balancing Ups and Downs of Inflammation Due to Microbial Infections. International journal of molecular sciences, 18(3), 501.
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[32] Fernandes, K. E., & Carter, D. A. (2017). The Antifungal Activity of Lactoferrin and Its Derived Peptides: Mechanisms of Action and Synergy with Drugs against Fungal Pathogens. Frontiers in microbiology, 8, 2.
[33] Kirkpatrick CH, Green I, Rich RR, Schade AL. Inhibition of growth of Candida albicans by iron-unsaturated lactoferrin: relation to host-defense mechanisms in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. J Infect Dis. 1971 Dec;124(6):539-44.
[34] Zarember KA, Sugui JA, Chang YC, Kwon-Chung KJ, Gallin JI. Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes inhibit Aspergillus fumigatus conidial growth by lactoferrin-mediated iron depletion. J Immunol. 2007 May 15;178(10):6367-73.
[35] Wakabayashi H, Abe S, Okutomi T, Tansho S, Kawase K, Yamaguchi H. Cooperative anti-Candida effects of lactoferrin or its peptides in combination with azole antifungal agents. Microbiol Immunol. 1996;40(11):821-5.
[36] Kuipers, M. E., de Vries, H. G., Eikelboom, M. C., Meijer, D. K., & Swart, P. J. (1999). Synergistic fungistatic effects of lactoferrin in combination with antifungal drugs against clinical Candida isolates. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 43(11), 2635–2641.
[37] Cutone, A., Rosa, L., Ianiro, G., Lepanto, M. S., Bonaccorsi di Patti, M. C., Valenti, P., & Musci, G. (2020). Lactoferrin's Anti-Cancer Properties: Safety, Selectivity, and Wide Range of Action. Biomolecules, 10(3), 456.
[38] Azhar J., Hussain T. & Mohammadabadi T. (2021). The overview on anti-cancer effects of milk lactoferrin. World J Pharm Sci, 9(5): 135-144.
[39] Cutone, A., Rosa, L., Ianiro, G., Lepanto, M. S., Bonaccorsi di Patti, M. C., Valenti, P., & Musci, G. (2020). Lactoferrin's Anti-Cancer Properties: Safety, Selectivity, and Wide Range of Action. Biomolecules, 10(3), 456.
[40] Varadhachary A, Wolf JS, Petrak K, O'Malley BW Jr, Spadaro M, Curcio C, Forni G, Pericle F. Oral lactoferrin inhibits growth of established tumors and potentiates conventional chemotherapy. Int J Cancer. 2004 Sep 1;111(3):398-403.
[41] Damiens E, El Yazidi I, Mazurier J, Duthille I, Spik G, Boilly-Marer Y. Lactoferrin inhibits G1 cyclin-dependent kinases during growth arrest of human breast carcinoma cells. J Cell Biochem. 1999 Sep 1;74(3):486-98.
[42] Ramírez-Rico G, Drago-Serrano ME, León-Sicairos N and de la Garza M (2022) Lactoferrin: A Nutraceutical with Activity against Colorectal Cancer. Front. Pharmacol. 13:855852.
[43] Moradian, Fatemeh & Farziyan, Mohammad & Rafiei, Alireza. (2016). Anticancer Effect of Bovine Lactoferrin on Human Esophagus Cancer Cell Line. Res Mol Med. 4.
[44] Yu-Tang Tung, Hsiao-Ling Chen, Chih-Ching Yen, Po-Ying Lee, Hsin-Chung Tsai, Ming-Fong Lin, Chuan-Mu Chen, Bovine lactoferrin inhibits lung cancer growth through suppression of both inflammation and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 96, Issue 4, 2013, Pages 2095-2106.
[45] Tsuda H, Sekine K, Fujita K, Ligo M. Cancer prevention by bovine lactoferrin and underlying mechanisms--a review of experimental and clinical studies. Biochem Cell Biol. 2002;80(1):131-6.
[46] Gibbons JA, Kanwar RK, Kanwar JR. Lactoferrin and cancer in different cancer models. Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2011 Jun 1;3(3):1080-8. doi: 10.2741/212.
[47] Damiens E, El Yazidi I, Mazurier J, Duthille I, Spik G, Boilly-Marer Y. Lactoferrin inhibits G1 cyclin-dependent kinases during growth arrest of human breast carcinoma cells. J Cell Biochem. 1999 Sep 1;74(3):486-98.
[48[ Ramírez-Rico G, Drago-Serrano ME, León-Sicairos N and de la Garza M (2022) Lactoferrin: A Nutraceutical with Activity against Colorectal Cancer. Front. Pharmacol. 13:855852.
[49] Moradian, Fatemeh & Farziyan, Mohammad & Rafiei, Alireza. (2016). Anticancer Effect of Bovine Lactoferrin on Human Esophagus Cancer Cell Line. Res Mol Med. 4.
[50] Yu-Tang Tung, Hsiao-Ling Chen, Chih-Ching Yen, Po-Ying Lee, Hsin-Chung Tsai, Ming-Fong Lin, Chuan-Mu Chen, Bovine lactoferrin inhibits lung cancer growth through suppression of both inflammation and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 96, Issue 4, 2013, Pages 2095-2106.
[51] Tsuda H, Sekine K, Fujita K, Ligo M. Cancer prevention by bovine lactoferrin and underlying mechanisms--a review of experimental and clinical studies. Biochem Cell Biol. 2002;80(1):131-6.
[52] Gibbons JA, Kanwar RK, Kanwar JR. Lactoferrin and cancer in different cancer models. Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2011 Jun 1;3(3):1080-8. doi: 10.2741/212.