Astaxanthin as a Novel Mitochondrial Regulator: A New Aspect of Carotenoids, beyond Antioxidants

Abstract

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.

The Putative Role of Astaxanthin in Neuroinflammation Modulation: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

“…Similarly, astaxanthin can improve mitochondrial function in a reduced state under oxidative stress (Wolf et al, 2010). Some evidence indicates that astaxanthin contributes to mitochondrial quality control and promotes mitochondrial biogenesis through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear (Nishida et al, 2020;Nishida et al, 2021).…”

Astaxanthin Carotenoid Modulates Oxidative Stress in Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells Isolated from Equine Metabolic Syndrome Affected Horses by Targeting Mitochondrial Biogenesis

“…According to our research, cells treated with astaxanthin showed increased mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis, as demonstrated by restoring mitochondrial transmembrane potential, restoring proper mitochondrial morphology, and regulating fission events and fusion dynamics. Research of Nishid et al also confirmed the beneficial effect of astaxanthin on the maintenance and enhancement of mitochondrial activity through a direct impact on the AMPK/Sirtuin/PGC-1α pathway and other pathways [ 56 ]. Nawaz et al confirmed the ability of astaxanthin to stimulate mitochondrial function, where astaxanthin was shown to reduce insulin resistance in diet or myotubule-induced obesity in vitro by modulating insulin signaling in an antioxidant and antioxidant-independent manner and by activating mitochondrial energy metabolism via the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway (AMP) coactivator γ coactivator-1 α (PGC-1 α ) peroxisome proliferator activated receptor in skeletal muscle [ 56 ].…”

“…Research of Nishid et al also confirmed the beneficial effect of astaxanthin on the maintenance and enhancement of mitochondrial activity through a direct impact on the AMPK/Sirtuin/PGC-1α pathway and other pathways [ 56 ]. Nawaz et al confirmed the ability of astaxanthin to stimulate mitochondrial function, where astaxanthin was shown to reduce insulin resistance in diet or myotubule-induced obesity in vitro by modulating insulin signaling in an antioxidant and antioxidant-independent manner and by activating mitochondrial energy metabolism via the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway (AMP) coactivator γ coactivator-1 α (PGC-1 α ) peroxisome proliferator activated receptor in skeletal muscle [ 56 ]. Yu et al proved that astaxanthin maintained mitochondrial integrity by increasing PGC-1α expression and maintained normal tubular structure and heat-induced oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts [ 78 ].…”

“…The growing popularity of astaxanthin is supported by its high ability to absorb oxygen radicals, i.e., 100 to 500 times higher than that of α -tocopherol, and 10 times more active inhibition of free radicals than related antioxidants ( α -tocopherol, α -carotene, β -carotene, lutein and lycopene) [ 55 ]. Astaxanthin reduces cell apoptosis, ameliorates oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and modulates mitochondrial dynamics [ 56 , 57 ]. This study provides strong evidence for the role of astaxanthin in equine metabolic syndrome prevention and treatment.…”

Investigating and Resolving Cardiotoxicity Induced by COVID‐19 Treatments using Human Pluripotent Stem Cell‐Derived Cardiomyocytes and Engineered Heart Tissues

“…[ 29 ] Astaxanthin also has a beneficial effect on mitochondrial quality control through AMPK activation. [ 30 ] Furthermore, a recent report showed that remdesivir could induce mitochondrial fragmentation and suppress mitochondrial respiration. [ 25a ] These studies suggest that astaxanthin may exert the protective effect via acting directly on mitochondrial, which deserves further investigation in the follow‐up studies.…”