Astaxanthin and Nrf2 signaling pathway: a novel target for new therapeutic approaches

Ashrafizadeh, Milad; Ahmadi, Zahra; Yaribeygi, Habib; Sathyapalan, Thozhukat; Sahebkar, Amirhossein

Abstract

Astaxanthin (AST) is a naturally occurring compound isolated from various sources such as fungi, plants, salmon, and crab. However, Haematococcus Pluvialis, a green alga, is the primary source of this beta carotenoid compound. AST has several favourable biological and pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diabetes, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective activities. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanisms of these protective effects of AST are unclear yet. The Nrf2 signaling pathway is one of the critical candidate signaling pathways that may be involved in these beneficial effects of AST. This signaling pathway is responsible for maintaining the redox balance in the physiological state. Upon nuclear translocation, Nrf2 signaling activates antioxidant enzymes to reduce oxidative stress and protect cells against damage. In the current study, we have reviewed the effects of AST on the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which could potentially be developed as a novel therapeutic approach for the management of various diseases.

Citation

Ashrafizadeh, M., Ahmadi, Z., Yaribeygi, H., Sathyapalan, T., & Sahebkar, A. (in press). Astaxanthin and Nrf2 signaling pathway: a novel target for new therapeutic approaches. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 22(2), 312-321. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557521666210505112834

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 6, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 5, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 15, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 6, 2022
• Journal: Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
• Print ISSN: 1389-5575
• Electronic ISSN: 1875-5607
• Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 312-321
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557521666210505112834
• Keywords: Astaxanthin; Oxidative stress; Cardioprotective; Neuroprotective; Nrf2 signaling pathway; Renoprotective; Diabetes mellitus
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3769229