Astaxanthin as a Potent Antioxidant for Promoting Bone Health: An Up-to-Date Review

Abstract

In recent years, bone loss and its associated diseases have become a significant public health concern due to increased disability, morbidity, and mortality. Oxidative stress and bone loss are correlated, where oxidative stress suppresses osteoblast activity, resulting in compromised homeostasis between bone formation and resorption. This event causes upregulation of bone remodeling turnover rate with an increased risk of fractures and bone loss. Therefore, supplementation of antioxidants can be proposed to reduce oxidative stress, facilitate the bone remodeling process, suppress the initiation of bone diseases, and improve bone health. Astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-4-4′-diketo-β-β carotene), a potent antioxidant belonging to the xanthophylls family, is a potential ROS scavenger and could be a promising therapeutic nutraceutical possessing various pharmacological properties. In bone, astaxanthin enhances osteoblast differentiation, osteocytes numbers, and/or differentiation, inhibits osteoclast differentiation, cartilage degradation markers, and increases bone mineral density, expression of osteogenic markers, while reducing bone loss. In this review, we presented the up-to-date findings of the potential anabolic effects of astaxanthin on bone health in vitro, animal, and human studies by providing comprehensive evidence for its future clinical application, especially in treating bone diseases.

Exogenous and endogenous antioxidants in osteoporosis risk: causal associations unveiled by Mendelian Randomization analysis

“…A multitude of studies highlights the core position occupied by oxidative stress in the senescence process and the pathophysiology of OP. Antioxidants serve a vital protective function by countering ROS, preserving cellular redox equilibrium, and thereby effectively shielding cells from oxidative injury caused by ROS, thereby offering the potential for suppressing the development of OP (Damani et al, 2022;Davan et al, 2023).…”

“…Research has shown that supplementing with antioxidants is a key approach to reducing the impact of free radicals, preventing oxidative damage, and countering the negative effects of oxidative stress on bone health (Damani et al, 2022;Davan et al, 2023). Figure 1 illustrates the oxidative stress and antioxidant mechanisms involved in the development of OP.…”

Recent Advancements of Astaxanthin from an Animal Feed to a Therapeutic Agent in Humans—A Meta-Analysis Overview

“…Potential auxiliary therapeutic agent alone or in combination in treating prostate cancer [31] Helped with skin cancer by reducing the dryness caused by UV and increased MED [34] 2.2 Anti-diabetic activity Lowered blood pressure and improves glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients [35] Significantly reduced the pain caused by diabetic neuropathy [36] 2.3 Anti-inflammation activity Enhanced the immune response [2] 2.4 CVD prevention Improved cardiac contractility and exercise tolerance [37] 2.5 Neuroprotective activity Improved cognitive performance and brain health [27,38] 2.6 Sports performance enhancer Promoted mental and physical fatigue [40] Improved the temporary reduction of human antioxidant capacity [41] Improved exercise performance and enhanced fat oxidation [42] Increased walking endurance and reduced oxidative stress [44] 2.7 Skin aging prevention Reduced skin dryness and increased skin moisture [1] Enhanced facial skin rejuvenation [49] Improved skin elasticity [1,50] 2.8 Eye health promotor Improved central retina function [4] Reduced total hyperoxides [51] 2.9 Other health benefits Improved oocyte maturation and rates of high-quality embryos [52] Effective in cryopreservation of human sperm [53] Decreased blood transit time [3] Protected against the obesity-induced oxidative stress [54] Increased good cholesterol [56] Improved knee pain, stiffness, and physical function [57] Powerful in treating cisplatin-induced hearing loss [7] Table 1.…”

“…low-density cholesterol [56]. Daily supplementation of krill oil containing astaxanthin for six months improved knee pain, stiffness, and physical function in mild-tomoderate knee osteoarthritis patients [57]. Cisplatin-induced hearing loss has negative impact on the children's academic development and social integration.…”