ASTAXANTHIN
- Category
- Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Pathogen, Blocks Excess Cytokines, Inhibits Long-Term Disease, Inhibits Long-Term Side Effects
ASTAXANTHIN
Astaxanthin as a potential adjunctive supplement in COVID-19: H. pluvialis derived ASX is a natural oxycarotenoid with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and potent antioxidant properties. The potent antioxidant property of ASX implicating to its various biological activities has been demonstrated in both preclinical and clinical studies. ASX is not a known viricide. However, it has been shown to suppress features of viral infection owing to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. Studies including human trials have shown that ASX effectively regulates immunity and disease etiology, suggesting its wide array of potential therapeutic and nutritional support in prevention and treatment of various pathogenic diseases and metabolic disorders, all of which have elements of oxidative stress and/or inflammation in the pathogenesis. The potential pharmacological effects of ASX include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating as well as cardiovascular, neuro-, ocular- and skin-protective effects. (Talukdar, 2020).
Inflammation acts like a double-edged sword and can be harmful if not appropriately controlled. COVID-19 is created through a novel species of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV). Elevated levels of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), etc. lead to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and severe complications of infection in the lungs of coronavirus-infected patients. Astaxanthin is a natural and potent carotenoid with powerful antioxidant activity as well as an anti-inflammatory agent that supports good health. The effects of astaxanthin on the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathways and the reduction and suppression of cytokines and other inflammatory agents such as IL-6 and TNF-α have already been identified. Therefore, these unique features can make this natural compound an excellent option to minimize inflammation and its consequences (Ahmadi, 2021).
Astaxanthin has been known to inhibit the “Cytokine Storm”. Natural astaxanthin, known for its exceptional antioxidant powers, has a strong ability to both balance and strengthen the immune system, hence improving the defense against inflammation and outside invaders (pathogens). Antioxidant Astaxanthin is 6,000 times stronger than Vitamin C (Zhang, Z, 2020).
Astaxanthin is one of the top antioxidants and is one of a very few that can cross the blood brain barrier to attack free radicals in the brain (Gleb, 2017). This is essential for brain and central nervous system wellbeing.
Our study systematically investigated the effects of ASTX on blood clots. Results showed that ASTX could inhibit coagulation, increase fibrinolytic activity and reduce platelet aggregation in hyperlipidemic rats. This action was mainly attributed to ASTX, which decreased the serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, increased the amount of antioxidants, and protected the endothelial and platelet functions. In conclusion, we demonstrated that ASTX could inhibit coagulation, increase fibrinolytic activity and reduce platelet aggregation in hyperlipidemic rats. These results indicate that ASTX is an effective complementary and alternative antihaemostatic drug. (Deng, 2017).
Reference:
(Talukdar, 2020). Jayanta Talukdar, Bhaskar Bhadra , Tomal Dattaroy , Vinod Nagle , Santanu Dasgupta. Potential of natural astaxanthin in alleviating the risk of cytokine storm in COVID-19. https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0753332220310787?token=C99486E1AFD6A002F8711AFB4F054CA56434E9491E3665B327E2A8178A7A242667D4B2B42E0E5C601B92FEF948DF0B14&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20220616122332
(Ahmadi, 2021). Ahmadi AR, Ayazi-Nasrabadi R. Astaxanthin protective barrier and its ability to improve the health in patients with COVID-19. Iran J Microbiol. 2021 Aug;13(4):434-441. doi: 10.18502/ijm.v13i4.6965. PMID: 34557270; PMCID: PMC8421583. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34557270/
(Zang, 2020). Zhang, Z, 2020. HINDWAI: Mitochondrion-Permeable Antioxidants to Treat ROS-Burst-Mediated Acute Diseases. Volume 2016 |Article ID 6859523. Retrieved on 040520 online from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2016/6859523/
(Gleb, 2017). Astaxanthin as a Nootropic: Astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties may help protect the brain from the deleterious effects of aging and neurodegeneration. Retrieved on 04/15/21 online from https://supplementsinreview.com/nootropic/astaxanthin-nootropic/
(Deng, 2017). Deng ZY, Shan WG, Wang SF, Hu MM, Chen Y. Effects of astaxanthin on blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet aggregation in hyperlipidemic rats. Pharm Biol. 2017;55(1):663-672. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1261905