Abstract
Fucoxanthin is a natural carotenoid derived mostly from many species of marine brown algae. It is characterized by small molecular weight, is chemically active, can be easily oxidized, and has diverse biological activities, thus protecting cell components from ROS. Fucoxanthin inhibits the proliferation of a variety of cancer cells, promotes weight loss, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, interacts with the intestinal flora to protect intestinal health, prevents organ fibrosis, and exerts a multitude of other beneficial effects. Thus, fucoxanthin has a wide range of applications and broad prospects. This review focuses primarily on the latest progress in research on its pharmacological activity and underlying mechanisms.
Highlights
In the last hundred years or so, as our understanding of the ocean continues to deepen, an increasing number of scientists have focused on the natural products in the ocean
Liu and coworkers demonstrated that fucoxanthin is toxic to U87 and U251 cell lines, but does not exert an inhibitory effect on normal neurons measured by the changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential and in the expression of apoptosis-related proteins [41]
In a study related to this problem, fucoxanthin ameliorated diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice, and allowed patients to maintain a normal diet without excessive caloric restriction [56]. α-glucosidase and α-amylase are essential factors regulating the digestion of starch and glucose absorption, making them a key target of research on the treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia [57]
Summary
In the last hundred years or so, as our understanding of the ocean continues to deepen, an increasing number of scientists have focused on the natural products in the ocean. Fucoxanthin is mostly dark yellow to brown and is involved in the photochemical system II of photosynthesis It can be obtained from a wide range of sources, mostly from various algae, marine phytoplankton, aquatic shells, and other animals and plants. It is well documented that fucoxanthin exhibits numerous biological effects, such as broad-spectrum anti-tumor activity In vitro, it shows anti-proliferation effects on a variety of cancer cell lines. Fucoxanthin was shown to promote weight loss This is a relatively innovative discovery in the previous natural medicines. Fucoxanthin has been found to interact with the intestinal flora and is capable of alleviating oxidative stress It has anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, antibacterial, neuroprotective, Mar. Drugs 2020, 18, 634; doi:10.3390/md18120634 www.mdpi.com/journal/marinedrugs. Is mostly focused on the sources, biological activity, and mechanism of action of fucoxanthin
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