-
Molecular Medicine Reports Oct 2022Astaxanthin is a lipid‑soluble carotenoid produced by various microorganisms and marine animals, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, microalgae, shrimps and lobsters.... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin is a lipid‑soluble carotenoid produced by various microorganisms and marine animals, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, microalgae, shrimps and lobsters. Astaxanthin has antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and anti‑apoptotic properties. These characteristics suggest that astaxanthin has health benefits and protects against various diseases. Owing to its ability to cross the blood‑brain barrier, astaxanthin has received attention for its protective effects against neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cognitive impairment and neuropathic pain. Previous studies on the neurological effects of astaxanthin are mostly based on animal models and cellular experiments. Thus, the biological effects of astaxanthin on humans and its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. The present review summarizes the neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin, explores its mechanisms of action and draws attention to its potential clinical implications as a therapeutic agent.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Blood-Brain Barrier; Humans; Neuroprotective Agents; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 35946443
DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12816 -
Nutrients Apr 2018Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, is a secondary metabolite naturally synthesized by a number of bacteria, microalgae, and yeasts. The commercial production of this... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, is a secondary metabolite naturally synthesized by a number of bacteria, microalgae, and yeasts. The commercial production of this pigment has traditionally been performed by chemical synthesis, but the microalga appears to be the most promising source for its industrial biological production. Due to its collective diverse functions in skin biology, there is mounting evidence that astaxanthin possesses various health benefits and important nutraceutical applications in the field of dermatology. Although still debated, a range of potential mechanisms through which astaxanthin might exert its benefits on skin homeostasis have been proposed, including photoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review summarizes the available data on the functional role of astaxanthin in skin physiology, outlines potential mechanisms involved in the response to astaxanthin, and highlights the potential clinical implications associated with its consumption.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Biological Availability; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Skin; Skin Aging; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 29690549
DOI: 10.3390/nu10040522 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2021Xanthophyll astaxanthin, which is commonly used in aquaculture, is one of the most expensive and important industrial pigments. It is responsible for the pink and red... (Review)
Review
Xanthophyll astaxanthin, which is commonly used in aquaculture, is one of the most expensive and important industrial pigments. It is responsible for the pink and red color of salmonid meat and shrimp. Due to having the strongest anti-oxidative properties among carotenoids and other health benefits, natural astaxanthin is used in nutraceuticals and cosmetics, and in some countries, occasionally, to fortify foods and beverages. Its use in food technology is limited due to the unknown effects of long-term consumption of synthetic astaxanthin on human health as well as few sources and the high cost of natural astaxanthin. The article characterizes the structure, health-promoting properties, commercial sources and industrial use of astaxanthin. It presents the possibilities and limitations of the use of astaxanthin in food technology, considering its costs and food safety. It also presents the possibilities of stabilizing astaxanthin and improving its bioavailability by means of micro- and nanoencapsulation.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Basidiomycota; Carotenoids; Coloring Agents; Crustacea; Dietary Supplements; Food Industry; Food Technology; Functional Food; Humans; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 34063189
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092666 -
Journal of Basic Microbiology Sep 2022Astaxanthin is a ketocarotenoid, super antioxidant molecule. It has higher antioxidant activity than a range of carotenoids, thus has applications in cosmetics,... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin is a ketocarotenoid, super antioxidant molecule. It has higher antioxidant activity than a range of carotenoids, thus has applications in cosmetics, aquaculture, nutraceuticals, therapeutics, and pharmaceuticals. Naturally, it is derived from Haematococcus pluvialis via a one-stage process or two-stage process. Natural astaxanthin significantly reduces oxidative and free-radical stress as compared to synthetic astaxanthin. The present review summarizes all the aspects of astaxanthin, including its structure, chemistry, bioavailability, and current production technology. Also, this paper gives a detailed mechanism for the potential role of astaxanthin as nutraceuticals for cardiovascular disease prevention, skin protection, antidiabetic and anticancer, cosmetic ingredient, natural food colorant, and feed supplement in poultry and aquaculture. Astaxanthin is one of the high-valued microalgae products of the future. However, due to some risks involved or not having adequate research in terms of long-term consumption, it is still yet to be explored by food industries. Although the cost of naturally derived astaxanthin is high, it accounts for only a 1% share in total astaxanthin available in the global market. Therefore, scientists are looking for ways to cut down the cost of natural astaxanthin to be made available to consumers.
Topics: Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Microalgae; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 34817092
DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202100391 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2020Astaxanthin is a natural lipid-soluble and red-orange carotenoid. Due to its strong antioxidant property, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and immune modulation,... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin is a natural lipid-soluble and red-orange carotenoid. Due to its strong antioxidant property, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and immune modulation, astaxanthin has gained growing interest as a multi-target pharmacological agent against various diseases. In the current review, the anti-inflammation mechanisms of astaxanthin involved in targeting for inflammatory biomarkers and multiple signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-κB, ERK1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, and JAK-2/STAT-3, have been described. Furthermore, the applications of anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin in neurological diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, hepatic and renal diseases, eye and skin disorders, are highlighted. In addition to the protective effects of astaxanthin in various chronic and acute diseases, we also summarize recent advances for the inconsistent roles of astaxanthin in infectious diseases, and give our view that the exact function of astaxanthin in response to different pathogen infection and the potential protective effects of astaxanthin in viral infectious diseases should be important research directions in the future.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Disease; Humans; Inflammation; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 33207669
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225342 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jan 2022Astaxanthin (AST) is a red pigmented carotenoid with significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-apoptotic properties. In this study, we... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin (AST) is a red pigmented carotenoid with significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-apoptotic properties. In this study, we summarize the available literature on the anti-inflammatory efficacy of AST in various chronic and acute disorders, such as neurodegenerative, renal-, hepato-, skin- and eye-related diseases, as well as gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, we elaborated on therapeutic efficacy of AST and the role of several pathways, including PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-κB, ERK1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, and JAK-2/STAT-3 in mediating its effects. However, additional experimental and clinical studies should be performed to corroborate the anti-inflammatory effects and protective effects of AST against inflammatory diseases in humans. Nevertheless, this review suggests that AST with its demonstrated anti-inflammatory property may be a suitable candidate for drug design with novel technology.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Humans; Inflammation; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 34736076
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112179 -
Nutrients Dec 2021Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family that is found abundantly in marine organisms, and has been gaining attention in recent years due to its varied... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family that is found abundantly in marine organisms, and has been gaining attention in recent years due to its varied biological/physiological activities. It has been reported that astaxanthin functions both as a pigment, and as an antioxidant with superior free radical quenching capacity. We recently reported that astaxanthin modulated mitochondrial functions by a novel mechanism independent of its antioxidant function. In this paper, we review astaxanthin's well-known antioxidant activity, and expand on astaxanthin's lesser-known molecular targets, and its role in mitochondrial energy metabolism.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Mitochondria; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 35010981
DOI: 10.3390/nu14010107 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Dec 2019Astaxanthin (AX)-containing preparations are increasingly popular as health food supplements. Evaluating the maximum safe daily intake of AX is important when setting... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin (AX)-containing preparations are increasingly popular as health food supplements. Evaluating the maximum safe daily intake of AX is important when setting dose levels for these products and currently, there are discrepancies in recommendations by different regulatory authorities. We have therefore conducted a review of approved dose levels, clinical trials of natural AX, and toxicological studies with natural and synthetic AX. Recommended or approved doses varied in different countries and ranged between 2 and 24 mg. We reviewed 87 human studies, none of which found safety concerns with natural AX supplementation, 35 with doses ≥12 mg/day. An acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 2 mg as recently proposed by European Food Safety Authority was based on a toxicological study in rats using synthetic AX. However, synthetically produced AX is chemically different from natural AX, so results with synthetic AX should not be used in assessing natural AX safety. In addition, few safety studies have been conducted in either humans or animals with synthetic AX. We therefore recommend the ADI for natural AX to be based only on studies conducted with natural AX and further studies to be conducted with synthetic AX (including human clinical trials) to establish a separate ADI for synthetic AX.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Humans; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 31788888
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6514 -
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis &... Aug 2023ALSUntangled reviews alternative and off-label treatments for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS). Here we review astaxanthin which has plausible... (Review)
Review
ALSUntangled reviews alternative and off-label treatments for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS). Here we review astaxanthin which has plausible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. While there are no ALS-specific pre-clinical studies, one verified "ALS reversal" occurred in a person using a combination of alternative therapies which included astaxanthin. There have been no trials of astaxanthin in people living with ALS. Natural astaxanthin appears to be safe and inexpensive. Based on the above information, we support further pre-clinical and/or clinical trials of astaxanthin in disease models and PALS, respectively, to further elucidate efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Complementary Therapies
PubMed: 36694292
DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2171302 -
Food Chemistry Mar 2023As an oxycarotenoid with strong antioxidant properties, astaxanthin can considerably boost pigmentation and improve the nutritional value of eggs. The purpose of this...
As an oxycarotenoid with strong antioxidant properties, astaxanthin can considerably boost pigmentation and improve the nutritional value of eggs. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the comparative effects of different chemical structures of astaxanthin including free astaxanthin, monoester-enriched astaxanthin and diester-enriched astaxanthin on the nutritional enhancement of eggs within 20 days. The results showed that supplementation of free astaxanthin to laying hens was more effective in accumulating astaxanthin in egg yolks than supplementation with esterified astaxanthin. The retention rate of free astaxanthin was approximately 12.0 % at the plateau phase in egg yolk, while that of monoester-enriched and diester-enriched astaxanthin were 4.0 % and 2.5 %, respectively. Free astaxanthin possessed a high retention rate and pigmentation effect compared with esterified astaxanthin, which might provide a basis for astaxanthin enhancement in eggs and potential application in nutritional functional foods.
Topics: Animals; Female; Egg Yolk; Chickens; Animal Feed; Diet; Eggs
PubMed: 36371831
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134872