Astaxanthin and Its Biological Effects on Oxidative Stress
Summary
Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring red-orange xanthophyll carotenoid synthesised by microalgae, yeast and certain bacteria. Its unique molecular configuration endows it with potent antioxidant capacity, enabling it to quench singlet oxygen, scavenge free radicals and modulate redox signalling pathways. These properties underpin a growing body of evidence that astaxanthin can protect cellular structures—particularly lipids, proteins and DNA—from oxidative damage. In diverse experimental models, astaxanthin has been shown to preserve mitochondrial integrity, attenuate inflammatory responses and influence immune cell phenotypes. Collectively, these effects suggest a broad therapeutic potential for mitigating diseases in which oxidative stress is a central feature, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and autoimmune conditions. Beyond its mechanistic actions at the molecular level, astaxanthin demonstrates favourable bioavailability and safety profiles in animal and human studies, supporting its viability as a nutraceutical or adjunctive therapy. Emerging research is now focusing on targeted delivery systems and synergistic combinations with other antioxidants to enhance tissue specificity and therapeutic efficacy.
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Astaxanthin and Its Biological Effects on Oxidative Stress publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in astaxanthin and its biological effects on oxidative stress across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Oxidative stress: A state in which reactive oxygen species production exceeds the capacity of antioxidant defences, leading to damage of cellular macromolecules.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen, including free radicals such as superoxide and non-radical species such as hydrogen peroxide.
Mitochondria: Organelles responsible for cellular energy production, which are also major sites of ROS generation and targets of oxidative damage.
Xanthophyll: A subclass of oxygen-containing carotenoids found in plants and microorganisms, noted for their antioxidant properties and pigmentation roles.
References
- Astaxanthin Alleviates Autoimmune Hepatitis by Modulating CD8+ T Cells: Insights From Mass Cytometry and Single‐Cell RNA Sequencing Analyses. Advanced Science (2024).
- Inhibitory Effect of Astaxanthin on Oxidative Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction-A Mini-Review. Nutrients (2018).
- Astaxanthin: Sources, Extraction, Stability, Biological Activities and Its Commercial Applications—A Review. Marine Drugs (2014).
- Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans. Nutrition & Metabolism (2010).
- Astaxanthin: A Potential Mitochondrial‐Targeted Antioxidant Treatment in Diseases and with Aging. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2019).
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