Seaweed Carotenoids for Cancer Therapeutics

Abstract

Carotenoids are naturally occurring fat soluble organic pigments that are found in phototrophic organisms. In the marine environment, carotenoids are wide spread in the seaweeds. Seaweeds are the important sources of bioactive compounds which have numerous beneficial effects such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. The most notable and predominant seaweed carotenoids, such as β-carotene, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin have remarkable biological functions and applications in human health. Cancer chemoprevention is the most crucial strategy in cancer control. Dietary intake of carotenoids has proven to reduce the risk of variety of cancers. Epidemiological investigations have evidenced that there is a clear link between diet and cancer risk. β-carotene, main dietary source of vitamin A have enhanced antioxidant activity and the β-carotene supplementation has shown suppressive effects on carcinogenesis. Astaxanthin, a ketocarotenoid is a potent antioxidant and also has various positive attributes including anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. Fucoxanthin is a predominant carotenoid in brown algae known to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antiangiogenic activities. These seaweed carotenoids are important pharmaceutical compounds, which might be a promising anticancer marine drug. In this chapter, the various biological functions including anticancer effects of the seaweed carotenoids and the possible mechanisms of action are described.