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British Journal of Pharmacology Jun 2017Carotenoids and retinoids have several similar biological activities such as antioxidant properties, the inhibition of malignant tumour growth and the induction of... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Carotenoids and retinoids have several similar biological activities such as antioxidant properties, the inhibition of malignant tumour growth and the induction of apoptosis. Supplementation with carotenoids can affect cell growth and modulate gene expression and immune responses. Epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between a high carotenoid intake in the diet with a reduced risk of breast, cervical, ovarian, colorectal cancers, and cardiovascular and eye diseases. Cancer chemoprevention by dietary carotenoids involves several mechanisms, including effects on gap junctional intercellular communication, growth factor signalling, cell cycle progression, differentiation-related proteins, retinoid-like receptors, antioxidant response element, nuclear receptors, AP-1 transcriptional complex, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, carotenoids can stimulate the proliferation of B- and T-lymphocytes, the activity of macrophages and cytotoxic T-cells, effector T-cell function and the production of cytokines. Recently, the beneficial effects of carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruits in health and in decreasing the risk of certain diseases has been attributed to the major carotenoids, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, crocin (/crocetin) and curcumin, due to their antioxidant effects. It is thought that carotenoids act in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In this review, we briefly describe the biological and immunological activities of the main carotenoids used for the treatment of various diseases and their possible mechanisms of action.
LINKED ARTICLES
This article is part of a themed section on Principles of Pharmacological Research of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.11/issuetoc.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fruit; Humans; Neoplasms; Retinoids; Time Factors; Vegetables
PubMed: 27638711
DOI: 10.1111/bph.13625 -
Molecular Plant Jan 2015Carotenoids are mostly C40 terpenoids, a class of hydrocarbons that participate in various biological processes in plants, such as photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis,... (Review)
Review
Carotenoids are mostly C40 terpenoids, a class of hydrocarbons that participate in various biological processes in plants, such as photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, photoprotection, and development. Carotenoids also serve as precursors for two plant hormones and a diverse set of apocarotenoids. They are colorants and critical components of the human diet as antioxidants and provitamin A. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the genes and enzymes involved in carotenoid metabolism and describe recent progress in understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying carotenoid accumulation. The importance of the specific location of carotenoid enzyme metabolons and plastid types as well as of carotenoid-derived signals is discussed.
Topics: Carotenoids; Hemiterpenes; Organophosphorus Compounds; Plants; Plastids; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 25578273
DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2014.12.007 -
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Mar 2010Lycopene is a carotenoid found in grapefruit, watermelons, and papaya in addition to tomatoes. It is obtained only through diet. Lycopene exhibits antioxidant and...
Lycopene is a carotenoid found in grapefruit, watermelons, and papaya in addition to tomatoes. It is obtained only through diet. Lycopene exhibits antioxidant and anticancer properties. Results from several epidemiologic studies suggest a strong association between high intake of lycopene-rich foods and reduced risk of several cancers, notably prostate cancer. However, few well designed clinical trials have been conducted, and data remain inconclusive. Because lycopene supplementation is associated with strong antioxidant effects, it has the potential to interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Cancer patients should use caution if considering an increase in their lycopene intake.
Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Humans; Lycopene; Neoplasms
PubMed: 20394143
DOI: No ID Found -
Methods in Enzymology 2022Carotenoids constitute an essential dietary component of animals and other non-carotenogenic species which use these pigments in both their modified and unmodified...
Carotenoids constitute an essential dietary component of animals and other non-carotenogenic species which use these pigments in both their modified and unmodified forms. Animals utilize uncleaved carotenoids to mitigate light damage and oxidative stress and to signal fitness and health. Carotenoids also serve as precursors of apocarotenoids including retinol, and its retinoid metabolites, which carry out essential functions in animals by forming the visual chromophore 11-cis-retinaldehyde. Retinoids, such as all-trans-retinoic acid, can also act as ligands of nuclear hormone receptors. The fact that enzymes and biochemical pathways responsible for the metabolism of carotenoids in animals bear resemblance to the ones in plants and other carotenogenic species suggests an evolutionary relationship. We will explore some of the modes of transmission of carotenoid genes from carotenogenic species to metazoans. This apparent relationship has been successfully exploited in the past to identify and characterize new carotenoid and retinoid modifying enzymes. We will review approaches used to identify putative animal carotenoid enzymes, and we will describe methods used to functionally validate and analyze the biochemistry of carotenoid modifying enzymes encoded by animals.
Topics: Animals; Carotenoids; Plants; Retinaldehyde; Retinoids
PubMed: 36008015
DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.05.005 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2022Carotenoids represent a class of pigmented terpenoids. They are distributed in all taxonomic groups of fungi. Most of the fungal carotenoids differ in their chemical... (Review)
Review
Carotenoids represent a class of pigmented terpenoids. They are distributed in all taxonomic groups of fungi. Most of the fungal carotenoids differ in their chemical structures to those from other organisms. The general function of carotenoids in heterotrophic organisms is protection as antioxidants against reactive oxygen species generated by photosensitized reactions. Furthermore, carotenoids are metabolized to apocarotenoids by oxidative cleavage. This review presents the current knowledge on fungal-specific carotenoids, their occurrence in different taxonomic groups, and their biosynthesis and conversion into trisporic acids. The outline of the different pathways was focused on the reactions and genes involved in not only the known pathways, but also suggested the possible mechanisms of reactions, which may occur in several non-characterized pathways in different fungi. Finally, efforts and strategies for genetic engineering to enhance or establish pathways for the production of various carotenoids in carotenogenic or non-carotenogenic yeasts were highlighted, addressing the most-advanced producers of each engineered yeast, which offered the highest biotechnological potentials as production systems.
Topics: Biological Evolution; Biological Transport; Biosynthetic Pathways; Carotenoids; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Fungi; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Genetic Engineering; Mutagenesis; beta Carotene
PubMed: 35209220
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041431 -
Marine Drugs Dec 2021Microalgae are excellent biological factories for high-value products and contain biofunctional carotenoids. Carotenoids are a group of natural pigments with high value... (Review)
Review
Microalgae are excellent biological factories for high-value products and contain biofunctional carotenoids. Carotenoids are a group of natural pigments with high value in social production and human health. They have been widely used in food additives, pharmaceutics and cosmetics. Astaxanthin, β-carotene and lutein are currently the three carotenoids with the largest market share. Meanwhile, other less studied pigments, such as fucoxanthin and zeaxanthin, also exist in microalgae and have great biofunctional potentials. Since carotenoid accumulation is related to environments and cultivation of microalgae in seawater is a difficult biotechnological problem, the contributions of salt stress on carotenoid accumulation in microalgae need to be revealed for large-scale production. This review comprehensively summarizes the carotenoid biosynthesis and salinity responses of microalgae. Applications of salt stress to induce carotenoid accumulation, potentials of the Internet of Things in microalgae cultivation and future aspects for seawater cultivation are also discussed. As the global market share of carotenoids is still ascending, large-scale, economical and intelligent biotechnologies for carotenoid production play vital roles in the future microalgal economy.
Topics: Animals; Aquatic Organisms; Biotechnology; Carotenoids; Microalgae; Salinity
PubMed: 34940712
DOI: 10.3390/md19120713 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2023The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the current findings on the major carotenoids and their content in pumpkin products and by-products. The content of... (Review)
Review
The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the current findings on the major carotenoids and their content in pumpkin products and by-products. The content of total carotenoids and the composition of carotenoids in pumpkins depend mainly on the species and cultivar, pedoclimatic conditions, the part of the plant (pulp, peel or seed), extraction procedures and the type of solvent used for extraction. The major carotenoids identified in pumpkins were β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. β-Carotene is the major carotenoid in most pumpkin species. The number and content of total carotenoids are higher when minor carotenoids and ester forms are considered. The use of carotenoids in the development of functional foods has been the topic of many versatile studies in recent years, as they add significant value to foods associated with numerous health benefits. In view of this, pumpkin and pumpkin by-products can serve as a valuable source of carotenoids.
Topics: beta Carotene; Cucurbita; Carotenoids; Lutein; Functional Food
PubMed: 36677916
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020858 -
Nutrition Reviews Apr 2021There is uncertainty regarding carotenoid intake recommendations, because positive and negative health effects have been found or are correlated with carotenoid intake... (Review)
Review
There is uncertainty regarding carotenoid intake recommendations, because positive and negative health effects have been found or are correlated with carotenoid intake and tissue levels (including blood, adipose tissue, and the macula), depending on the type of study (epidemiological vs intervention), the dose (physiological vs supraphysiological) and the matrix (foods vs supplements, isolated or used in combination). All these factors, combined with interindividual response variations (eg, depending on age, sex, disease state, genetic makeup), make the relationship between carotenoid intake and their blood/tissue concentrations often unclear and highly variable. Although blood total carotenoid concentrations <1000 nmol/L have been related to increased chronic disease risk, no dietary reference intakes (DRIs) exist. Although high total plasma/serum carotenoid concentrations of up to 7500 nmol/L are achievable after supplementation, a plateauing effect for higher doses and prolonged intake is apparent. In this review and position paper, the current knowledge on carotenoids in serum/plasma and tissues and their relationship to dietary intake and health status is summarized with the aim of proposing suggestions for a "normal," safe, and desirable range of concentrations that presumably are beneficial for health. Existing recommendations are likewise evaluated and practical dietary suggestions are included.
Topics: Carotenoids; Diet; Eating; Female; Humans; Lycopene; Male; Recommended Dietary Allowances; beta Carotene
PubMed: 32766681
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaa008 -
BMC Geriatrics Mar 2023Given their potent antioxidation properties, carotenoids play a role in delaying and preventing dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, observational... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Given their potent antioxidation properties, carotenoids play a role in delaying and preventing dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, observational studies have found inconsistent results regarding the associations between blood carotenoid levels and the risk of dementia and MCI. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between blood carotenoid levels and the risk of dementia and MCI.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed in the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library electronic databases to retrieve relevant English articles published from their inception until February 23, 2023. Study quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effect meta-analyses. Ultimately, 23 studies (n = 6610) involving 1422 patients with dementia, 435 patients with MCI, and 4753 controls were included.
RESULTS
Our meta-analysis showed that patients with dementia had lower blood lycopene (SMD: -0.521; 95%CI: -0.741, -0.301), α-carotene (SMD: -0.489; 95%CI: -0.697, -0.281), β-carotene (SMD: -0.476; 95%CI: -0.784, -0.168), lutein (SMD: -0.516; 95%CI: -0.753, -0.279), zeaxanthin (SMD: -0.571; 95%CI: -0.910, -0.232) and β-cryptoxanthin (SMD: -0.617; 95%CI: -0.953, -0.281) than the controls. Our results indicated that blood carotenoid levels were significantly lower in patients with dementia than in controls, despite high heterogeneity across the studies. Owing to insufficient data, we did not observe a similar and stable relationship between blood carotenoid levels and MCI.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis indicated that lower blood carotenoid levels may be a risk factor for dementia and MCI.
Topics: Humans; Cognitive Dysfunction; Carotenoids; beta Carotene; Lutein; Dementia
PubMed: 36997905
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-03900-7 -
Marine Drugs Jul 2022The carotenoids, including lycopene, lutein, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin belong to the isoprenoids, whose basic structure is made up of eight isoprene units, resulting... (Review)
Review
The carotenoids, including lycopene, lutein, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin belong to the isoprenoids, whose basic structure is made up of eight isoprene units, resulting in a C40 backbone, though some of them are only trace components in . They are essential to all photosynthetic organisms due to their superior photoprotective and antioxidant properties. Their dietary functions decrease the risk of breast, cervical, vaginal, and colorectal cancers and cardiovascular and eye diseases. Antioxidant functions of carotenoids are based on mechanisms such as quenching free radicals, mitigating damage from reactive oxidant species, and hindering lipid peroxidation. With the development of carotenoid studies, their distribution, functions, and composition have been identified in microalgae and higher plants. Although bleached or achlorophyllous mutants of were among the earliest carotenoid-related microalgae under investigation, current knowledge on the composition and biosynthesis of these compounds in is still elusive. This review aims to overview what is known about carotenoid metabolism in , focusing on the carotenoid distribution and structure, biosynthesis pathway, and accumulation in strains and mutants under environmental stresses and different culture conditions. Moreover, we also summarize the potential applications in therapy preventing carcinogenesis, cosmetic industries, food industries, and animal feed.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Female; Lutein; Microalgae; Zeaxanthins
PubMed: 36005499
DOI: 10.3390/md20080496