Fucoxanthin, A Carotenoid Derived from Phaeodactylum tricornutum Exerts Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities In Vitro

Abstract

Microalgae contain a multitude of nutrients and can be grown sustainably. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid from Phaeodactylum tricornutum, could have beneficial health effects. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiproliferative effects of fucoxanthin derived from this diatom in vitro. The effects of purified fucoxanthin on metabolic activity were assessed in blood mononuclear cells and different cell lines. In cell lines, caspase 3/7 activity was also analyzed. Nitrogen monoxide release and mRNA-expression of proinflammatory cytokines were measured. For antioxidant assays, cell free assays were conducted. Additionally, the antioxidant effect in neutrophils was quantified and glutathione was determined in HeLa cells. The results show that neither did fucoxanthin have anti-inflammatory properties nor did it exert cytotoxic effects on mononuclear cells. However, the metabolic activity of cell lines was decreased up to 58% and fucoxanthin increased the caspase 3/7 activity up to 4.6-fold. Additionally, dose-dependent antioxidant effects were detected, resulting in a 63% decrease in chemiluminescence in blood neutrophils and a 3.3-fold increase in the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione. Our studies show that fucoxanthin possesses antiproliferative and antioxidant activities in vitro. Hence, this carotenoid or the whole microalgae P. tricornutum could be considered as a food or nutraceutical in human nutrition, showcasing beneficial health effects.

Coproduction of EPA and Fucoxanthin with P. tricornutum – A Promising Approach for Up‐ and Downstream Processing

“…Fucoxanthin has a unique structure compared to other carotenoids like beta-carotene due to its allenic bond, conjugated carbonyl group, 5,6-monoepoxideand carbonyl group. Because of its structure, fucoxanthin has anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties [12,[16][17][18][19][20][21]. Therefore, fucoxanthin is supposed to prevent and alleviate several chronic diseases.…”

Protective Action of Ostreococcus Tauri and Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extracts towards Benzo[a]Pyrene-Induced Cytotoxicity in Endothelial Cells

“…Many studies have shown that fucoxanthin has antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects [41]. Fucoxanthin extract from PT has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects on blood mononuclear cells and on different cell lines [42]. The fact that OT and PT contain several metabolites known to have effects on human health, such as PUFAs and carotenoids, makes them of interest for disease prevention.…”

Effect of Carotenoids from Phaeodactylum tricornutum on Palmitate-Treated HepG2 Cells

“…Here, CE showed some cytotoxic effects at high concentrations, increasing cell necrosis at concentrations between 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL. Accordingly, a recent study reported a decrease in cell metabolic activity associated with an increase in apoptosis in HepG2 cells treated with 50 µg/mL of fucoxanthin from P. tricornutum [45]. By contrast, TLE showed no toxicity toward HepG2 cells, suggesting that the presence of lipids and/or chlorophylls (chlorophyll a and derivatives such as pheophytin) counteracts the cytotoxicity of carotenoids.…”