Zeaxanthin and Lutein: Photoprotectors, Anti-Inflammatories, and Brain Food

Adams, William W.; López‐Pozo, Marina; Stewart, Jared J.

doi:10.3390/molecules25163607

Cited by 62 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…The role of xanthophylls in vision health has been extensively studied. Zeaxanthin and lutein, particularly, play an important role in photoprotection against macular degeneration and there is also evidence that zeaxanthin and lutein play a role in visual and auditory processing, general mental acuity, and protection against various chronic diseases [ 64 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenolic and Carotenoid Profile of Lamb’s Lettuce and Improvement of the Bioactive Content by Preharvest Conditions

Hernández

Botella

Hellín

et al. 2021

Foods

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This study characterizes the phenolic, carotenoid and chlorophyll profile of lamb’s lettuce, a vegetable whose consumption in salads and ready-to-eat products is constantly growing. The MS/MS analysis allowed the identification of thirty-five phenolic compounds including hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanones, flavanols and flavanones, many of which are reported here in lamb’s lettuce for the first time. Chlorogenic acid was the principal phenolic compound found (57.1% of the total phenolic concentration) followed by its isomer cis-5-caffeoylquinic. Other major phenolic compounds were also hydroxycinnamic acids (coumaroylquinic, dicaffeoylquinic and feruloylquinic acids) as well as the flavones luteolin-7-rutinoside, diosmetin-apiosylglucoside and diosmin. Regarding carotenoids, seven xanthophyll and four carotenes, among which β-carotene and lutein were the major compounds, were detected from their UV-Vis absorption spectrum. In addition, chlorophylls a and b, their isomers and derivatives (pheophytin) were identified. Preharvest factors such as reduced fertilization levels or salinity increased some secondary metabolites, highlighting the importance of these factors on the final nutritional value of plant foods. Lamb’s lettuce was seen to be a good potential source of bioactive compounds, and fertilization management might be considered a useful tool for increasing its nutritional interest.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenolic and Carotenoid Profile of Lamb’s Lettuce and Improvement of the Bioactive Content by Preharvest Conditions

Hernández

Botella

Hellín

et al. 2021

Foods

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“…Much attention has since been given to the functions of both zeaxanthin and lutein in (i) protecting the human retina from damage by high light (for a review, see [63]) as well as (ii) serving as anti-inflammatories opposing systemic chronic inflammation and (iii) also enhancing visual and mental acuity [9]. These roles in humans and other animals may be catalyzed mainly through the action of zeaxanthin and lutein as antioxidants that counteract lipid peroxidation and as membrane stabilizers that enhance membrane function [9]. In addition to its role in dissipating excess excitation as thermal energy in photosynthesis, zeaxanthin serves as an antioxidant in photosynthetic organisms, counteracting lipid peroxidation, and stabilizes membranes [64,65].…”

Section: Dissipation Of Unused Light As Thermal Energy Tracks Xanthopmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The levels of energy dissipation via the regulated, preemptive non-photochemical route ( Figure 9C,D) largely parallel zeaxanthin + antheraxanthin levels ( Figure 9A,B), from little in low light to moderate levels in the annual (Figure 9A,C) or to high levels in the evergreen (Figure 9B,D) in full sun (see also [67]). action of zeaxanthin and lutein as antioxidants that counteract lipid peroxidation and as membrane stabilizers that enhance membrane function [9]. In addition to its role in dissipating excess excitation as thermal energy in photosynthesis, zeaxanthin serves as an antioxidant in photosynthetic organisms, counteracting lipid peroxidation, and stabilizes membranes [64,65].…”

Section: Light Gradients From Shade To Sun Determine Not Only Xanthopmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of these carotenoids are essential micronutrients for humans. In addition to β-carotene’s role as provitamin A in human vision and immune function, essential roles are emerging for other carotenoids, such as zeaxanthin that is a key factor in vision protection, an anti-inflammatory agent, and also supports brain function and performance of complex mental tasks (for a review, see [ 9 ]). Since leaf zeaxanthin level is highly variable and responds strongly to the light environment as well as plant growth rate, it is of interest to define plant growth conditions and species that simultaneously maximize zeaxanthin production and plant productivity.…”

Section: Overview Of Sources and Roles Of Carotenoidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Zeaxanthin, a Molecule for Photoprotection in Many Different Environments

et al. 2020

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Conversion of sunlight into photochemistry depends on photoprotective processes that allow safe use of sunlight over a broad range of environmental conditions. This review focuses on the ubiquity of photoprotection associated with a group of interconvertible leaf carotenoids, the xanthophyll cycle. We survey the striking plasticity of this process observed in nature with respect to (1) xanthophyll cycle pool size, (2) degree and speed of interconversion of its components, and (3) flexibility in the association between xanthophyll cycle conversion state and photoprotective dissipation of excess excitation energy. It is concluded that the components of this system can be independently tuned with a high degree of flexibility to produce a fit for different environments with various combinations of light, temperature, and other factors. In addition, the role of genetic variation is apparent from variation in the response of different species growing side-by-side in the same environment. These findings illustrate how field studies can generate insight into the adjustable levers that allow xanthophyll cycle-associated photoprotection to support plant photosynthetic productivity and survival in environments with unique combinations of environmental factors.

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“…In general, animals and humans cannot synthetize carotenoids, while they are able to synthetize their retinoid derivatives. Antioxidants mechanisms in plants and humans are based on Zeaxanthin and lutein, respectively, the derivative of β-carotene involved the xantholphyll cycle and the structural isomer derived from α carotene, which have been the subject of a review paper, which received great attention from the scientific community, to the extent of becoming part of the Top Downloaded Articles in July-October 2020 [4]. This review underscores the concept that in both plants and animals the modulation of ROS production by antioxidants may result in both beneficial and hazardous effects, in a balance dependent on the pre-existing biometabolic and environmental context.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%