Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death
Astaxanthin is a red orange xanthophyll carotenoid produced mainly by microalgae but which can also be chemically synthesized. As demonstrated by several studies, this lipophilic molecule is endowed with potent antioxidant properties and is able to modulate biological functions. Unlike synthetic ast...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/23/15137 |
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| author | Nicola Rizzardi Laura Pezzolesi Chiara Samorì Federica Senese Chiara Zalambani Walter Pitacco Natalia Calonghi Christian Bergamini Cecilia Prata Romana Fato |
| author_facet | Nicola Rizzardi Laura Pezzolesi Chiara Samorì Federica Senese Chiara Zalambani Walter Pitacco Natalia Calonghi Christian Bergamini Cecilia Prata Romana Fato |
| author_sort | Nicola Rizzardi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Astaxanthin is a red orange xanthophyll carotenoid produced mainly by microalgae but which can also be chemically synthesized. As demonstrated by several studies, this lipophilic molecule is endowed with potent antioxidant properties and is able to modulate biological functions. Unlike synthetic astaxanthin, natural astaxanthin (NAst) is considered safe for human nutrition, and its production is considered eco-friendly. The antioxidant activity of astaxanthin depends on its bioavailability, which, in turn, is related to its hydrophobicity. In this study, we analyzed the water-solubility of NAst and assessed its protective effect against oxidative stress by means of different approaches using a neuroblastoma cell model. Moreover, due to its highly lipophilic nature, astaxanthin is particularly protective against lipid peroxidation; therefore, the role of NAst in counteracting ferroptosis was investigated. This recently discovered process of programmed cell death is indeed characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and seems to be linked to the onset and development of oxidative-stress-related diseases. The promising results of this study, together with the “green sources” from which astaxanthin could derive, suggest a potential role for NAst in the prevention and co-treatment of chronic degenerative diseases by means of a sustainable approach. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:45:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-813856d8da7d458991ae635ca8f9c759 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:45:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-813856d8da7d458991ae635ca8f9c7592023-11-24T11:13:54ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-12-0123231513710.3390/ijms232315137Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell DeathNicola Rizzardi0Laura Pezzolesi1Chiara Samorì2Federica Senese3Chiara Zalambani4Walter Pitacco5Natalia Calonghi6Christian Bergamini7Cecilia Prata8Romana Fato9Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Campus Ravenna, 48121 Ravenna, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Campus Ravenna, 48121 Ravenna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Campus Ravenna, 48121 Ravenna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyAstaxanthin is a red orange xanthophyll carotenoid produced mainly by microalgae but which can also be chemically synthesized. As demonstrated by several studies, this lipophilic molecule is endowed with potent antioxidant properties and is able to modulate biological functions. Unlike synthetic astaxanthin, natural astaxanthin (NAst) is considered safe for human nutrition, and its production is considered eco-friendly. The antioxidant activity of astaxanthin depends on its bioavailability, which, in turn, is related to its hydrophobicity. In this study, we analyzed the water-solubility of NAst and assessed its protective effect against oxidative stress by means of different approaches using a neuroblastoma cell model. Moreover, due to its highly lipophilic nature, astaxanthin is particularly protective against lipid peroxidation; therefore, the role of NAst in counteracting ferroptosis was investigated. This recently discovered process of programmed cell death is indeed characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and seems to be linked to the onset and development of oxidative-stress-related diseases. The promising results of this study, together with the “green sources” from which astaxanthin could derive, suggest a potential role for NAst in the prevention and co-treatment of chronic degenerative diseases by means of a sustainable approach.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/23/15137astaxanthin<i>Haematococcus pluvialis</i>oxidative stresslipoperoxidationferroptosisgreen chemistry |
| spellingShingle | Nicola Rizzardi Laura Pezzolesi Chiara Samorì Federica Senese Chiara Zalambani Walter Pitacco Natalia Calonghi Christian Bergamini Cecilia Prata Romana Fato Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death International Journal of Molecular Sciences astaxanthin <i>Haematococcus pluvialis</i> oxidative stress lipoperoxidation ferroptosis green chemistry |
| title | Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death |
| title_full | Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death |
| title_fullStr | Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death |
| title_full_unstemmed | Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death |
| title_short | Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death |
| title_sort | natural astaxanthin is a green antioxidant able to counteract lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death |
| topic | astaxanthin <i>Haematococcus pluvialis</i> oxidative stress lipoperoxidation ferroptosis green chemistry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/23/15137 |
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