1. Improving the biological activities of astaxanthin using targeted delivery systems.
- Author
-
Cai L, Gan M, Regenstein JM, and Luan Q
- Subjects
- Humans, Animals, Solubility, Xanthophylls pharmacology, Xanthophylls administration & dosage, Xanthophylls chemistry, Drug Delivery Systems methods, Antioxidants pharmacology, Antioxidants administration & dosage, Biological Availability, Anti-Inflammatory Agents pharmacology, Anti-Inflammatory Agents administration & dosage
- Abstract
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of astaxanthin (AST) enable it to protect against oxidative stress-related and inflammatory diseases with a range of biological effects. These activities provide the potential to develop healthier food products. Therefore, it would be beneficial to design delivery systems for AST to overcome its low stability, control its release, and/or improve its bioavailability. This review discusses the basis for AST's various biological activities and the factors limiting these activities, including stability, solubility, and bioavailability. It also discusses the different systems available for the targeted delivery of AST and their applications in enhancing the biological activity of AST. These include systems that are candidates for preventive and therapeutic effects, which include nerves, liver, and skin, particularly for possible cancer reduction. Targeted delivery of AST to specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract, or more selectively to target tissues and cells, can be achieved using targeted delivery systems to increase the biological activities of AST.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF