What are the biological benefits of astaxanthin?

 Astaxanthin (Astaxanthin, 3,3/-dihydroxy-β,β/-carotene - 4,4/-dione), its molecular structure is shown in Fig. 1, molecular formula for C40H52o4, is a non-vitamin A source of carotenoids, in the body does not convert to vitamin A and play a role in the role of multiple physiological effects, such as strong antioxidant and anti-tumor [1-5], its antioxidant capacity is more than 10 times higher than carotene, more than 500 times higher than vitamin E, widely used in food, medicine, cosmetics and feed. Its antioxidant capacity is more than 10 times higher than that of carotene and more than 500 times higher than that of vitamin E. It is widely used in the fields of food, medicine, cosmetics and feed. Domestic research on astaxanthin has only begun in the past 10 years, but has made rapid development. The author focuses on the physiological effects of astaxanthin and the relationship between certain diseases.

 

Figure 1 Molecular structure of astaxanthin

1 Oxidative damage by free radicals

Free radicals are the effective defense system of the organism, participating in important physiological functions such as bactericidal, material and energy metabolism, but most of the free radicals have strong oxidative properties. Under normal circumstances, the body's free radicals in the generation and removal of the dynamic balance [6], will not cause serious damage to the body; but with the growth of age and the occurrence of disease and other factors, the dynamic balance is disrupted, free radicals produced too much or too slow removal, causing oxidative stress, disrupting the main cellular metabolic processes, ultimately leading to cell death, aging tissues and organs or lesions [7]ó At present, the more certain Diseases related to free radicals include: atherosclerosis, cancer, neurological disorders, eye diseases such as cataracts, blood disorders, and so on.

 

2 Astaxanthin bioefficacy and relationship to disease

2.1 Antioxidant effects    

The protective effect of astaxanthin on the body is mainly attributed to its antioxidant properties. Astaxanthin is a chain-breaking antioxidant with a relatively active electronic effect, which can provide electrons to free radicals or hydrogen atoms to react with free radicals, absorbing the excess energy of the free radicals, turning the free radicals into inactive or stable compounds, thus interrupting the oxidation process of free radicals and eliminating oxidative reactions and preventing damage to other molecules or cells. damage to other molecules or cellsówhich can be prevented by interrupting the oxidation process of free radicals.

 

2.2 Anti-cancer effects

2.2.1 Relationship between free radicals and cancer

Free radicals and the occurrence of certain cancers have a certain link ó free radicals have strong oxidizing properties, can oxidatively damage lipids and proteins, the more serious can cause DNA strand breakage, so that the gene mutation, triggering cancer ó at present, researchers through the experiments found that astaxanthin can be effective in preventing and curing certain cancers, such as bladder cancer, oral cavity cancer, skin cancer and so on.

 

2.2.2 Anticancer mechanism

By strengthening the gap junction of normal cells, astaxanthin puts carcinogen-induced cells in an extended communication network, in which normal cells dominate, isolate cancer cells, reduce the connection between cancer cells, stabilize carcinogen-induced cells, control their growth, and prevent the tumor from transforming, so as to inhibit or reduce the occurrence of cancer ó Gap junctions refer to the connecting channels for information transfer between adjacent cells, which are formed by connexin, and through which tumor cells communicate with each other. Gap junctions are the channels for information transfer between neighboring cells, which are formed by connexins and through which information is exchanged between tumor cells. During the transformation stage, astaxanthin can activate or reactivate the exchange of information through connexins, disrupt information exchange by destroying the connexins and inhibit the deterioration of induced cells.

Wang Zhencheng et al. found that astaxanthin had a strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of cancer cells through in vitro culturing of colorectal cancer SW1116 cell line, and it was dose-dependent, and a high concentration of astaxanthin was able to kill the tumor cells [8].óTanaka et al. found that astaxanthin-administered mice could significantly reduce the incidence of bladder carcinoma induced by N -methyl-N -(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine [9]; and in similar experiments of oral cavity carcinoma induced in F344 rats by using 4 -nitroquinoxaline-1 - cyanide, astaxanthin could significantly reduce oral cavity cancer incidence [9]. In a similar test of oral cancer induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-cyanide in F344 rats, astaxanthin significantly reduced the incidence of oral canceró Gradelet et al. studied the effects of several carotenoids on aflatoxin B1-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, and the results showed that astaxanthin reduced the carcinogenicity of aflatoxin and the number and size of hepatoma foci[10,11]ó

 

2.3 Enhancement of immune function    

Astaxanthin can significantly enhance local and systemic immunity, anti-inflammation and antihelminthic infections ó This immunomodulatory property, combined with antioxidant property, plays an important role in preventing the occurrence and spread of diseases ó Jyonouchi et al. showed that astaxanthin can significantly promote the production of antibodies mediated by Th clonogenic cells stimulated by thymus-dependent antigens (TD-Ag) and increase the number of cells secreting IgM and IgG ó Lingnell et al. found that oral astaxanthin supplementation can help restore the immunity of aged animals and enhance their immune function [5]. Supplementation with astaxanthin can help to restore the immune ability of aged animals and enhance their immune function [5].ó Lingnell et al. found that oral administration of astaxanthin can significantly enhance muscle strength and endurance, improve physical fitness and eliminate fatigue.ó Okai and Higashiokai demonstrated that astaxanthin has a significant effect on the proliferation and other functions of murine immunoreactive cells in vitro in a cell culture assay. In vitro cell culture tests by Okai and Higashiokai demonstrated that astaxanthin has possible immunomodulatory activity in enhancing the proliferation and other functions of murine immune-activated cells, and that astaxanthin has higher immunomodulatory activity than nerolidolone and β-carotene [12].

 

3 Other functions and applications of astaxanthin

(1) can fight against the body of unsaturated fatty acid oxidation, anti-oxidation of blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, to prevent and control atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases have a better preventive efficacy, can be widely used in functional food, health care and cosmetic products and other anti-aging products. Astaxanthin medicine and health care products have been registered and marketed in North America, Europe and Japan, such as FDA-approved AstaFactor, "Salmon Extract" for cardiovascular diseases and Astaxanthin Algae Powder, which have good therapeutic effects and market benefits.

 

(2) Astaxanthin has a unique effect on the improvement of vision, is a natural "eye care vitamin" raw materials, can directly improve vision, so in the prevention and treatment of "age-related macular degeneration", to improve retinal function with good results.

 

(3) Astaxanthin is similar to the properties of vitamin A. Vitamin A is the source of retinoic acid in the eye. Vitamin A is the supply of retinoic acid in the eyeballs, retinoid is the source of retinal violet needed for dark vision, so it can eliminate eye fatigue and help physical recovery. If astaxanthin products are supplied on passenger airplanes, the discomfort caused by jet lag can be overcome; and regular consumption of astaxanthin by the elderly and students can help regulate the biological clock and restore the normal rhythm of life.

 

(4) Astaxanthin is conducive to the repair of the central nervous system. Astaxanthin is the only carotenoid that can pass the blood-brain barrier, can extend the antioxidant capacity to the brain, scavenging free radicals in the nervous system and play a protective role. Since astaxanthin's antioxidant capacity far exceeds that of vitamin E and B-carotene, it is a candidate for the treatment of neurological disorders and Meniere's syndrome.

 

(5) Astaxanthin has excellent coloring properties and super antioxidant properties, and its active ingredients have a certain protective effect on the skin, and it is an ideal nutritional and health food coloring agent. AquasEarch company in the United States has registered astaxanthin ester products as nutritional supplements. Astaxanthin excellent coloring properties, can improve the meat quality of certain fish (such as salmon), improve the color, improve the survival rate of fish and livestock, increase maturity, deepen the color of egg yolk. Astaxanthin in feed is an ideal "nutritional" coloring agent, beneficial to human health.

 

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