Inflammation plays an important role in developing cardiovascular diseases and other comorbidities, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and obesity. Astaxanthin exerts a marked anti-inflammatory effect, which may be interrelated with its antioxidant effect and contributes to physiological changes that benefit cardiovascular function. Atherosclerosis is a degenerative and chronic disease that affects [...]
Reishi mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, is a well-known Chinese crude drug used clinically in China. The fruit bodies are used for treating neurasthenia, deficiency fatigue, insomnia, bronchial cough in older adults, and carcinoma. Many studies have indicated that water or ethanol extracts of G. lucidum showed protective actions against acute hepatitis in rats or mice. Other reports had previously [...]
Cell membrane systems are particularly vulnerable to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species(RONS) attacks due to their content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolic activities, which endogenously generate other oxidizing metabolites. Astaxanthin protects cell membranes against RONS and oxidative damage. Due to its chemical structure, its polar groups overlap the polar regions of the cell membrane. [...]
Our study showed the discriminating effect of reishi(ganoderma lucidum) extract against cancer cell viability. Reishi extract(1% cracked spores, 13.5% polysaccharides, and 6% triterpenes) can prevent cancer cell viability in 24 h. This compound's studies have demonstrated similar effects on the MDA-MB-231 breast and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. This effect was not observed in a mammary epithelial [...]
Many studies have observed various cellular and molecular changes in response to Astaxanthin treatment. Consequently, it can be challenging to determine which of these effects may be attributed to the direct mechanisms of action, such as its direct antioxidant activity or indirect downstream effects in response to chronic astaxanthin treatment. We focus below on the early changes resulting [...]
Effects of Astaxanthin in the Central Nervous System Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of age-related cognitive impairments. The high lipid content and metabolic rate make the neuronal system particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction due to oxidative stress are reflected in age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as [...]
1. Effects of Antioxidants in Skeletal Muscle Work ROS are generated from either mitochondrial or nonmitochondrial sources during skeletal muscle work. These include NADPH, xanthine oxidases, phospholipase A2, and nitric oxide from NO synthase. During moderate exercise, oxidative balance is kept within physiological limits to minimize the effects of oxidative damage. It contains a complicated antioxidant [...]
Insulin-Mediated Glucose Uptake Skeletal muscle accounts for 30-40% of body mass. As the major metabolic tissue of the body, it plays an important role in the whole-body metabolism and homeostasis. Skeletal muscle tissue is responsible for over 80% of insulin-induced glucose uptake in the postprandial state. The molecular mechanisms of insulin-mediated glucose transport are intensively studied. [...]
Carotenoids, the precursors of vitamin A, are natural pigments supplied with regular highly conjugated π-bond systems, providing the natural yellow, orange, or red colors of many vegetables and fruits. Until now, more than 750 naturally occurring carotenoids have been found. Based on their structure, carotenoids can be compiled into two main groups: the carotenes also called carotenoid [...]
When we incorporate astaxanthin as a functional ingredient into foods, it is necessary to consider its low physicochemical stability when exposed to external agents such as light, extreme pHs, oxygen, and heat. Therefore, industrial processing will negatively affect the potential health effect of food-containing astaxanthin. Other factors, such as the interaction with other compounds in [...]