The Astaxanthin Aggregation Pattern Greatly Influences Its Antioxidant Activity: A Comparative Study in Caco-2 Cells

Abstract

Astaxanthin is an excellent antioxidant that can form unstable aggregates in biological or artificial systems. The changes of astaxanthin properties caused by molecular aggregation have gained much attention recently. Here, water-dispersible astaxanthin H- and J-aggregates were fabricated and stabilized by a natural DNA/chitosan nanocomplex (respectively noted as H-ADC and J-ADC), as evidenced by ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Compared with J-ADC, H-ADC with equivalent astaxanthin loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency showed smaller particle size and similar zeta potential. To explore the antioxidant differences between astaxanthin H- and J-aggregates, H-ADC and J-ADC were subjected to H2O2-pretreated Caco-2 cells. Compared with astaxanthin monomers and J-aggregates, H-aggregates showed a better cytoprotective effect by promoting scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radical scavenging studies confirmed a higher efficiency of H-aggregates than J-aggregates or astaxanthin monomers. These findings give inspiration to the precise design of carotenoid aggregates for efficient utilization.

Stress Dependent Biofilm Formation and Bioactive Melanin Pigment Production by a Thermophilic Bacillus Species from Chilean Hot Spring

“…Antioxidant activity of the pigment was determined in different concentrations of aqueous pigment solution (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg•mL −1 ). For hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity analysis [28], for each of the concentrations, 50 µL of sample, 120 µL of 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and 30 µL of H 2 O 2 were added (A1). The negative control for the study was H 2 O instead of sample (A0), while H 2 O instead of H 2 O 2 was used to obtain results of the sample without any activity (A2).…”

Comparison of Different Methods for Extracting the Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis: Chemical Composition and Biological Activity

“…Accumulation of ROS was performed using the method described by Dai, Li [44]. Briefly, IL-AST, ME-AST, and HPMF-AST (2,4,8,16, and 32 µg/mL) were incubated with HepG2 cells.…”

Astaxanthin: An algae-based natural compound with a potential role in human health-promoting effect: An updated comprehensive review

“…There are many naturally occurring sources available that act as antioxidants which include carotenoids and polyphenols [10]. Recently, Dai et al [11] investigated the differences of antioxidants between J-aggregates and ASX H-, J-ADC, and H-aggregate-embedded DNA/Chitosan nanoparticles ASX has been recommended to provide beneficial antioxidant protection for people with over-oxidant stress, for example, smokers and obese people [12]. Seventy-eight individuals (39 non-smokers and 39 heavy smokers) were randomly allocated to obtain ASX for 3 weeks at either 5, 20, or 40 mg/day and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.…”