Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Catalase is an enzyme found naturally in almost all living organisms exposed to oxygen, where it catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide—a reactive oxygen species (ROS)—into water and oxygen. Free radicals and ROS are implicated in oxidative stress, which can damage cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. Scientific validation for catalase's role in mitigating free radical damage stems from extensive in vitro and animal studies showing that catalase supplementation or overexpression reduces oxidative stress and related tissue damage. For example, catalase has been shown to protect cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity, and transgenic animals overexpressing catalase exhibit resistance to oxidative injuries and, in some models, extended lifespan.

However, the clinical application in humans is less established. Delivery of active catalase into human tissues is challenging due to its large protein structure, which limits cellular uptake. Novel strategies, such as encapsulation in nanoparticles or fusion with cell-penetrating peptides, are being explored to overcome these barriers. Some topical and experimental formulations aim to exploit catalase's antioxidant properties for skin protection or neuroprotection, but robust clinical trials are still limited. Thus, while the mechanistic rationale and preclinical evidence are strong, direct evidence from well-controlled human studies is moderate, leading to a rating of 3/5.

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