Efficacy of Astaxanthin for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in a Murine Model

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with various factors, including immunological abnormalities and exposure to allergens. Astaxanthin (AST) is a xanthophyll carotenoid that has recently been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory effects and to regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, we investigated whether AST could improve the dermatitis and pruritus in a murine model of AD using NC/Nga mice. In addition to a behavioral evaluation, the effects of AST on the AD were determined by the clinical skin severity score, serum IgE level, histological analyses of skin, and by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting analyses for the expression of inflammation-related factors. AST (100 mg/kg) or vehicle (olive oil) was orally administered once day and three times a week for 26 days. When compared with vehicle-treated group, the administration of AST significantly reduced the clinical skin severity score. In addition, the spontaneous scratching in AD model mice was reduced by AST administration. Moreover, the serum IgE level was markedly decreased by the oral administration of AST compared to that in vehicle-treated mice. The number of eosinophils, total and degranulated mast cells all significantly decreased in the skin of AST-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. The mRNA and protein levels of eotaxin, MIF, IL-4, IL-5 and L-histidine decarboxylase were significantly decreased in the skin of AST-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. These results suggest that AST improves the dermatitis and pruritus in AD via the regulation of the inflammatory effects and the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…In addition, treatment with astaxanthin prevented UV-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in vitro [ 30 , 37 ]. Furthermore, an earlier study showed the beneficial effects of astaxanthin for the treatment of atopic dermatitis [ 38 ]. Our study is in agreement with this report for the improvement of VAS regarding “improvement of rough skin” and “texture”.…”

Anti‐inflammatory effect of astaxanthin in phthalic anhydride‐induced atopic dermatitis animal model

“…AST is well known as an excellent anti‐inflammatory agent that suppresses pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression . Moreover, AST has been reported to have beneficial effects in allergic skin diseases such as AD and contact dermatitis . However, it has been only reported the inhibition effect of AST on pro‐inflammatory cytokine.…”

“…Hyperproduction of total IgE level in skin lesions is typical clinical characteristics of AD . Chronic IgE‐dominated immune responses contribute to the damage of skin barrier causing the release of inflammatory mediators, which correlates with the severity of AD .…”

Enhancing Skin Health: By Oral Administration of Natural Compounds and Minerals with Implications to the Dermal Microbiome

“…There are numerous skin studies performed with astaxanthin using topical and oral applications that suggest: (a) prevention of DNA damage and enhanced mitochondrial function and DNA repair through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities via the AKt pathway [ 67 , 69 ], (b) UV protection by decreasing oxidative stress presumably via the NF-κB dependent pathway [ 67 , 69 , 98 ], (c) immune-enhancing effects by increasing natural killer cell cytotoxic activity [ 99 , 100 ], (d) activation of the Nrf2 pathway, which stimulates the antioxidant defense system to produce more antioxidants [ 99 , 100 ], (e) inhibition of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that breakdown collagen and elastin [ 110 , 111 ], (f) stimulation of collagen type I and a basic fibroblast growth factor to improve the appearance of wrinkles and promote wound healing [ 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 ], and (g) improvement in TEWL, skin texture/smoothness, skin age spots, moisture content, and elasticity [ 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 ]. The main theme of astaxanthin’s dermal health influences centers around its powerful antioxidant effects [ 67 , 68 , 69 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 117 , 119 , 121 ].…”