Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment with multiple biological activities found in a variety of fruits and vegetables that can help treat or prevent age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts[1]. Zeaxanthin is found in the macula of the eye, which mainly contains (3R,3'R)-Zeaxanthin and meso-Zeaxanthin forms[2]. Zeaxanthin also has antioxidant, antiparasitic, anthelmintic and anti-osteoporotic effects[3].
In vitro, treatment of ARPE-19 cells accumulating A2E (a lipofuscin fluorophore and photosensitizer) with Zeaxanthin (10μM) for 72h significantly attenuated photooxidation-induced proteasome inactivation, reduced the accumulation of intracellular ubiquitin conjugates, and reversed the changes in inflammatory-related gene expression caused by photooxidation[4]. Pretreatment of retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5) with Zeaxanthin (1μM) for 1h significantly inhibited H2O2-induced cell viability decrease and nuclear condensation, and reduced ROS generation caused by serum deprivation[5]. Zeaxanthin (5µg/mL) treatment of human corneal limbal and conjunctival epithelial cells protected the cells from UVB-induced cell death and reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-8[6].
In vivo, Zeaxanthin (8, 24mg/kg) was administered to SD rats by gavage for 4 weeks, which increased the levels of glutathione (GSH) in the liver, heart, and serum of rats, reduced the levels of lipid and protein peroxidation marker 4-HNE, and reduced the levels of carbonyl proteins in serum[7]. Zeaxanthin (25mg/kg) fed to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model mice for 6 weeks significantly reduced oxidative stress in the liver and prevented NASH-related inflammation and fibrosis[8].
References:
[1] Johra F T, Bepari A K, Bristy A T, et al. A mechanistic review of β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin in eye health and disease[J]. Antioxidants, 2020, 9(11): 1046.
[2] Sajilata M G, Singhal R S, Kamat M Y. The carotenoid pigment zeaxanthin—a review[J]. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety, 2008, 7(1): 29-49.
[3] Bouyahya A, El Omari N, Hakkur M, et al. Sources, health benefits, and biological properties of zeaxanthin[J]. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2021, 118: 519-538.
[4] Bian Q, Gao S, Zhou J, et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation reduces photooxidative damage and modulates the expression of inflammation-related genes in retinal pigment epithelial cells[J]. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2012, 53(6): 1298-1307.
[5] Nakajima Y, Shimazawa M, Otsubo K, et al. Zeaxanthin, a retinal carotenoid, protects retinal cells against oxidative stress[J]. Current Eye Research, 2009, 34(4): 311-318.
[6] Huang Y, Shi C, Li J. The protective effect of zeaxanthin on human limbal and conjunctival epithelial cells against UV-induced cell death and oxidative stress[J]. International Journal of Ophthalmology, 2019, 12(3): 369.
[7] Zou X, Gao J, Zheng Y, et al. Zeaxanthin induces Nrf2-mediated phase II enzymes in protection of cell death[J]. Cell death & disease, 2014, 5(5): e1218-e1218.
[8] Chamberlain S M, Hall J D, Patel J, et al. Protective effects of the carotenoid zeaxanthin in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis[J]. Digestive diseases and sciences, 2009, 54: 1460-1464.