Lipid-Lowering and Antioxidant Effects of Self-Assembled Astaxanthin–Anthocyanin Nanoparticles on High-Fat Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Obesity has become a serious global public health risk threatening millions of people. In this study, the astaxanthin–anthocyanin nanoparticles (AXT-ACN NPs) were used to investigate their effects on the lipid accumulation and antioxidative capacity of the high-sugar-diet-induced high-fat Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). It can be found that the lifespan, motility, and reproductive capacity of the high-fat C. elegans were significantly decreased compared to the normal nematodes in the control group. However, treatment of high-fat C. elegans with AXT-ACN NPs resulted in a prolonged lifespan of 35 days, improved motility, and a 22.06% increase in total spawn production of the nematodes. Furthermore, AXT-ACN NPs were found to effectively extend the lifespan of high-fat C. elegans under heat and oxidative stress conditions. Oil-red O staining results also demonstrated that AXT-ACN NPs have a remarkable effect on reducing the fat accumulation in nematodes, compared with pure astaxanthin and anthocyanin nanoparticles. Additionally, AXT-ACN NPs can significantly decrease the accumulation of lipofuscin and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The activities of antioxidant-related enzymes in nematodes were further measured, which revealed that the AXT-ACN NPs could increase the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The astaxanthin and anthocyanin in AXT-ACN NPs showed sound synergistic antioxidation and lipid-lowering effects, making them potential components in functional foods.

Recent Advances in the Therapeutic Potential of Carotenoids in Preventing and Managing Metabolic Disorders

“…For instance, NPs prepared with astaxanthin and anthocyanins have demonstrated enhanced activity of superoxidase dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and catalase while reducing fat content, lipofuscin accumulation, and ROS levels on high-fat Caenorhabditis elegans cultures. These properties are appealing for the treatment of DM2 [ 167 ]. In obesity, emulsion-based delivery systems containing astaxanthin have been shown to reduce body fat accumulation, hepatic fatty acid, and hepatic lipid levels in obese mice models.…”