Antioxidant activity
Astaxanthin is a powerful quencher of singlet oxygen, which can scavenge oxygen free radicals and is a powerful antioxidant. By comparing the effects of astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, B-carotene and lycopene on the concentration of membrane lipid hydroperoxides generated by polyunsaturated fatty acids, non-polar carotenoids such as lycopene and B-carotene can increase the level of lipid peroxides by 85%, promote the damage of oxidants to the cell lipid bilayer, while astaxanthin can reduce the level of lipid peroxides by 40%.
Anti-inflammatory activity
Astaxanthin has a strong antioxidant effect and can play an indirect anti-inflammatory role by regulating the balance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Astaxanthin can significantly reduce the level of markers of DNA damage and reduce the concentration of plasma C-reactive protein, confirming the anti-inflammatory effect of astaxanthin on the human body. Prevention of atherosclerosis-related diseases
Oxidative stress and inflammation are important pathophysiological characteristics of atherosclerotic heart disease, and the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of astaxanthin also suggest its potential anti-atherosclerotic effect. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is an important cause of atherosclerosis, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is negatively correlated with the risk of coronary heart disease. High levels of HDL can prevent atherosclerosis. Studies have shown that astaxanthin can significantly increase HDL and reduce LDL levels, so astaxanthin may have a certain preventive effect on atherosclerosis and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.
Anti-cancer activity
Astaxanthin can inhibit the growth of breast cancer, while other carotenoids such as B. carotene and canthaxanthin do not have this function. In short, more and more studies have shown that astaxanthin has anti-cancer and anti-cancer effects, which are mainly reflected in astaxanthin preventing tumor occurrence, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor metastasis, enhancing immunity, and increasing intercellular communication.
Enhance immune function
Polyunsaturated fatty acids on the cell membrane are prone to lipid peroxidation, which leads to changes in the fluidity and permeability of the cell membrane, and ultimately changes in the structure and function of the cell. Astaxanthin, due to its unique molecular structure, can be inserted into the lipid bilayer, so compared with B-carotene and vitamin C, it can better inhibit lipid peroxidation on the cell membrane and protect the structure of the cell membrane. Immune cells are very sensitive to free radical damage, and free radicals can promote the degradation of macrophage cell membranes and impair their phagocytic function. Antioxidants, especially astaxanthin, can protect the immune system from free radical damage.