Fucoxanthin (all-trans-Fucoxanthin) is a naturally occurring carotenoid widely distributed in edible brown seaweed and diatoms[1]. Fucoxanthin is highly unsaturated, its molecular structure is unstable and very active. Fucoxanthin has four isomers, namely all-trans Fucoxanthin (the main isomer in the natural environment), 9′-cis Fucoxanthin, 13-cis Fucoxanthin, and 13′-cis Fucoxanthin[2]. Fucoxanthin can be used in research on obesity, anti-diabetes, antioxidants, inflammation, and cancer[3]. Fucoxanthin can effectively inhibit the activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis aromatic amine N-acetyltransferase (TBNAT), with an IC50 value of 4.8µM[4].
In vitro, treatment of B16-F10 cells with Fucoxanthin (0-30μM) for 24h inhibited cell invasion, migration and adhesion in a dose-dependent manner, and inhibited the expression of transfer factors MMP-9, CD44 and CXCR4[5]. Treatment of cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cells with Fucoxanthin (0-25µM) for 24h inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase[6]. Treatment of RAW264.7 cells with Fucoxanthin (0-100µg/mL) for 24h inhibited the expression of intracellular TNF-α, PGE2, iNOS and COX-2 proteins in a dose-dependent manner[7].
In vivo, oral administration of Fucoxanthin (25, 50mg/kg) to mice with cadmium chloride-induced renal injury for 14 days promoted the recovery of renal function, renal cell microstructure and ultrastructure, significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney injury marker 1 (KIM1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in mice, and increased peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) levels[8].
References:
[1] Din N A S, Mohd Alayudin A S, Sofian-Seng N S, et al. Brown algae as functional food source of fucoxanthin: A review[J]. Foods, 2022, 11(15): 2235.
[2] Pajot A, Hao Huynh G, Picot L, et al. Fucoxanthin from algae to human, an extraordinary bioresource: Insights and advances in up and downstream processes[J]. Marine drugs, 2022, 20(4): 222.
[3] Miyashita K, Beppu F, Hosokawa M, et al. Nutraceutical characteristics of the brown seaweed carotenoid fucoxanthin[J]. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 2020, 686: 108364.
[4] Šudomová M, Shariati M A, Echeverría J, et al. A microbiological, toxicological, and biochemical study of the effects of fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid, on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the enzymes implicated in its cell wall: A link between mycobacterial infection and autoimmune diseases[J]. Marine drugs, 2019, 17(11): 641.
[5] Chung T W, Choi H J, Lee J Y, et al. Marine algal fucoxanthin inhibits the metastatic potential of cancer cells[J]. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 2013, 439(4): 580-585.
[6] Ye G, Wang L, Yang K, et al. Fucoxanthin may inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation via downregulation of HIST1H3D[J]. Journal of International Medical Research, 2020, 48(10): 0300060520964011.
[7] Shiratori K, Ohgami K, Ilieva I, et al. Effects of fucoxanthin on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo[J]. Experimental eye research, 2005, 81(4): 422-428.
[8] Yang H, Xing R, Liu S, et al. Role of Fucoxanthin towards Cadmium-induced renal impairment with the antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxide activities[J]. Bioengineered, 2021, 12(1): 7235-7247.