Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell Biology
Astaxanthin (ASX) is a xanthophyll carotenoid mainly derived from marine microalgae such as <i>Haematococcus pluvialis</i> and <i>Chlorella zofingiensis</i>, as well as the yeast <i>Phaffia rhodozyma</i>. Its chemical nature structure, rich in conjugated double bo...
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2025-05-01
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| Series: | Marine Drugs |
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| author | Aretha Rambaldi Francesca Paris Pasquale Marrazzo Roberta Costa Stefano Ratti Francesco Alviano |
| author_facet | Aretha Rambaldi Francesca Paris Pasquale Marrazzo Roberta Costa Stefano Ratti Francesco Alviano |
| author_sort | Aretha Rambaldi |
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| description | Astaxanthin (ASX) is a xanthophyll carotenoid mainly derived from marine microalgae such as <i>Haematococcus pluvialis</i> and <i>Chlorella zofingiensis</i>, as well as the yeast <i>Phaffia rhodozyma</i>. Its chemical nature structure, rich in conjugated double bonds, carbonyl, and hydroxyl groups, confers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. ASX modulates oxidative stress via the PI3K/Akt-Nrf2 pathway and suppresses NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses, reducing cytokine levels such as TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS. ASX exerts dual apoptotic effects, cytoprotective in non-transformed cells and pro-apoptotic in cancer cells through p53 activation. Sustainable extraction techniques, especially supercritical CO<sub>2</sub>, have improved its industrial applicability. Recent findings highlight ASX’s role in stem cell biology, enhancing proliferation, supporting lineage-specific differentiation, and protecting against oxidative and inflammatory damage, which is a crucial issue for regenerative medicine applications. These multifaceted molecular effects support ASX’s therapeutic potential in chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, and cancer. This review outlines ASX’s natural sources, extraction methods, and biological mechanisms, emphasizing its application in oxidative stress- and inflammation-related conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-681cb427f45f4742a3ec93f5571e7c1c |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1660-3397 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Marine Drugs |
| spelling | doaj-art-681cb427f45f4742a3ec93f5571e7c1c2025-06-25T14:08:06ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972025-05-0123623510.3390/md23060235Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell BiologyAretha Rambaldi0Francesca Paris1Pasquale Marrazzo2Roberta Costa3Stefano Ratti4Francesco Alviano5Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, ItalyCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyCellular Signalling Laboratory, Anatomy Center, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyAstaxanthin (ASX) is a xanthophyll carotenoid mainly derived from marine microalgae such as <i>Haematococcus pluvialis</i> and <i>Chlorella zofingiensis</i>, as well as the yeast <i>Phaffia rhodozyma</i>. Its chemical nature structure, rich in conjugated double bonds, carbonyl, and hydroxyl groups, confers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. ASX modulates oxidative stress via the PI3K/Akt-Nrf2 pathway and suppresses NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses, reducing cytokine levels such as TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS. ASX exerts dual apoptotic effects, cytoprotective in non-transformed cells and pro-apoptotic in cancer cells through p53 activation. Sustainable extraction techniques, especially supercritical CO<sub>2</sub>, have improved its industrial applicability. Recent findings highlight ASX’s role in stem cell biology, enhancing proliferation, supporting lineage-specific differentiation, and protecting against oxidative and inflammatory damage, which is a crucial issue for regenerative medicine applications. These multifaceted molecular effects support ASX’s therapeutic potential in chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, and cancer. This review outlines ASX’s natural sources, extraction methods, and biological mechanisms, emphasizing its application in oxidative stress- and inflammation-related conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/6/235astaxanthinstem cellscytoprotectioncarotenoidmarine microalgaeoxidative stress |
| spellingShingle | Aretha Rambaldi Francesca Paris Pasquale Marrazzo Roberta Costa Stefano Ratti Francesco Alviano Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell Biology Marine Drugs astaxanthin stem cells cytoprotection carotenoid marine microalgae oxidative stress |
| title | Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell Biology |
| title_full | Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell Biology |
| title_fullStr | Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell Biology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell Biology |
| title_short | Marine-Derived Astaxanthin: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomedical Applications, and Roles in Stem Cell Biology |
| title_sort | marine derived astaxanthin molecular mechanisms biomedical applications and roles in stem cell biology |
| topic | astaxanthin stem cells cytoprotection carotenoid marine microalgae oxidative stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/6/235 |
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