Oxidative Stress and Marine Carotenoids: Application by Using Nanoformulations

An Overview on the Effects of Some Carotenoids on Health: Lutein and Zeaxanthin

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, the chemical properties, nutritional sources, absorption mechanisms, metabolism, biosynthesis and promising health-related benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin were emphasized and some recommendations for the future studies are suggested.

RECENT FINDINGS

Lutein and zeaxanthin are phytochemical compounds in the carotenoid group and are synthesised only by plants. All mammals get lutein and zeaxanthin into their bodies by consuming plant-based foods. Especially leafy green vegetables, broccoli, pumpkin, cabbage, spinach and egg yolk are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin have potential health effects by preventing free radical formation, exhibiting protective properties against oxidative damage and reducing oxidative stress. These compounds have neuroprotective, cardioprotective, ophthalmological, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-osteoporosis, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and antimicrobial effects. The preventive properties of lutein and zeaxanthin against numerous diseases have attracted attention recently. Further clinical trials with large samples are needed to make generalisations in the prevention and treatment of diseases and to determine the appropriate doses and forms of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Oral Administration of Carotenoid-Rich Dunaliella salina Powder Inhibits Colon Carcinogenesis via Modulation of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Cascades in a Rat Model

The present study aims to investigate the oral therapeutic and molecular role of carotenoid-rich Dunaliella salina powder (DSP) against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-triggered colon carcinogenesis. In this study, thirty six male Wistar rats were categorized into six distinct groups (G1-G6): G1 group with no intervention, G2 group received only DSP (1000 mg/kg), G3 group received only DMH carcinogen (20 mg/kg), and G4-G6 group received both DMH and DSP at various phases (pre-initiation, post-initiation and entire phases) for 32 weeks. Body weight, tumor incidence, tumor volume, histopathological examination, antioxidants, and detoxification enzymes activities were analyzed in the experimental rats. In addition, the protein expression profile of components involved in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was determined by western blot analysis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-7 and MMP-9), proliferation marker (PCNA), and pro-apoptotic (Bcl-2 and Bax) proteins were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Colorimetric assay was used to determine the levels of anti-inflammatory (iNOS and COX-2) and apoptotic proteins (Caspase-3 and Caspase-9). Results showed that concomitant administration of DSP with DMH significantly reduced tumor progression and prevented colon carcinogenesis in rats. However, treatment with DSP before or after DMH exposure did not significantly prevent colon carcinogenesis. DMH and DSP treatment group showed increased activities of antioxidant enzymes with significant reduction in the oxidative stress. Additionally, the detoxification enzymes and colonic histopathology of those rats were restored to that of control rats. The administration of DSP to rats exposed to DMH exhibited antitumor effects via inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway with induced apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax/caspases signaling cascades. Moreover, the same group also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity via regulating iNOS and COX-2 biomarkers. Our findings revealed molecular chemopreventive activity of carotenoid-rich DSP through regulating Wnt/beta-catenin and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Thus, DSP is propound to function as a potent antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent against colon carcinogenesis.

Seaweeds as Source of Bioactive Pigments with Neuroprotective and/or Anti-Neurodegenerative Activities: Astaxanthin and Fucoxanthin

The marine kingdom is an important source of a huge variety of scaffolds inspiring the design of new drugs. The complex molecules found in the oceans present a great challenge to organic and medicinal chemists. However, the wide variety of biological activities they can display is worth the effort. In this article, we present an overview of different seaweeds as potential sources of bioactive pigments with activity against neurodegenerative diseases, especially due to their neuroprotective effects. Along with a broad introduction to seaweed as a source of bioactive pigments, this review is especially focused on astaxanthin and fucoxanthin as potential neuroprotective and/or anti-neurodegenerative agents. PubMed and SciFinder were used as the main sources to search and select the most relevant scientific articles within the field.

Unlocking the Green Gold: Exploring the Cancer Treatment and the Other Therapeutic Potential of Fucoxanthin Derivatives from Microalgae

Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid widely studied in marine microalgae, is at the heart of scientific research because of its promising bioactive properties for human health. Its unique chemical structure and specific biosynthesis, characterized by complex enzymatic conversion in marine organisms, have been examined in depth in this review. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities of fucoxanthin have been rigorously supported by data from in vitro and in vivo experiments and early clinical trials. Additionally, this review explores emerging strategies to optimize the stability and efficacy of fucoxanthin, aiming to increase its solubility and bioavailability to enhance its therapeutic applications. However, despite these potential benefits, challenges persist, such as limited bioavailability and technological obstacles hindering its large-scale production. The medical exploitation of fucoxanthin thus requires an innovative approach and continuous optimization to overcome these barriers. Although further research is needed to refine its clinical use, fucoxanthin offers promising potential in the development of natural therapies aimed at improving human health. By integrating knowledge about its biosynthesis, mechanisms of action, and potential beneficial effects, future studies could open new perspectives in the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Ketocarotenoids adonirubin and adonixanthin: Properties, health benefits, current technologies, and emerging challenges

Given their multifaceted roles, carotenoids have garnered significant scientific interest, resulting in a comprehensive and intricate body of literature that occasionally presents conflicting findings concerning the proper characterization, quantification, and bioavailability of these compounds. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that the pursuit of novel carotenoids remains a crucial endeavor, as their diverse properties, functionalities and potential health benefits make them invaluable natural resources in agri-food and health promotion through the diet. In this framework, particular attention is given to ketocarotenoids, viz., astaxanthin (one of them) stands out for its possible multifunctional role as an antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial agent. It has been widely explored in the market and utilized in different applications such as nutraceuticals, food additives, among others. Adonirubin and adonixanthin can be naturally found in plants and microorganisms. Due to the increasing significance of natural-based products and the remarkable opportunity to introduce these ketocarotenoids to the market, this review aims to provide an expert overview of the pros and cons associated with adonirubin and adonixanthin.

Nrf2 Plays a Key Role in Erythropoiesis during Aging

Aging is characterized by increased oxidation and reduced efficiency of cytoprotective mechanisms. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor, controlling the expression of multiple antioxidant proteins. Here, we show that Nrf2-/- mice displayed an age-dependent anemia, due to the combined contributions of reduced red cell lifespan and ineffective erythropoiesis, suggesting a role of Nrf2 in erythroid biology during aging. Mechanistically, we found that the expression of antioxidants during aging is mediated by activation of Nrf2 function by peroxiredoxin-2. The absence of Nrf2 resulted in persistent oxidation and overactivation of adaptive systems such as the unfolded protein response (UPR) system and autophagy in Nrf2-/- mouse erythroblasts. As Nrf2 is involved in the expression of autophagy-related proteins such as autophagy-related protein (Atg) 4-5 and p62, we found impairment of late phase of autophagy in Nrf2-/- mouse erythroblasts. The overactivation of the UPR system and impaired autophagy drove apoptosis of Nrf2-/- mouse erythroblasts via caspase-3 activation. As a proof of concept for the role of oxidation, we treated Nrf2-/- mice with astaxanthin, an antioxidant, in the form of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-loaded nanoparticles (ATS-NPs) to improve its bioavailability. ATS-NPs ameliorated the age-dependent anemia and decreased ineffective erythropoiesis in Nrf2-/- mice. In summary, we propose that Nrf2 plays a key role in limiting age-related oxidation, ensuring erythroid maturation and growth during aging.

Tailor-made solvents for microbial carotenoids recovery

In recent years, microbial carotenoids have emerged as a promising alternative for the pharmaceutical and food industries, particularly in promoting human health due to their potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Microbial carotenoids, particularly those produced by yeast, bacteria, and microalgae, are synthesized intracellularly, requiring the use of solvents for their effective extraction and recovery. The conventional use of toxic volatile organic solvents (VOCs) like hexane, petroleum ether, and dimethyl sulfoxide in the extraction of microbial carotenoids has been common. However, ongoing research is introducing innovative, non-toxic, environmentally friendly tailor-made solvents, such as ionic liquids (IL) and deep eutectic solvents (DES), indicating a new era of cleaner and biocompatible technologies. This review aims to highlight recent advancements in utilizing IL and DES for obtaining carotenoids from microorganisms. Additionally, we explore the utilization of in silico tools designed to determine the solubilities of microbial carotenoids in tailor-made DES and ILs. This presents a promising alternative for the scientific community, potentially reducing the need for extensive experimental screening of solvents for the recovery of microbial carotenoids in the separation processing. According to our expert perspective, both IL and DES exhibit a plethora of exceptional attributes for the recovery of microbial carotenoids. Nevertheless, the current employment of these solvents for recovery of carotenoids is restricted to scientific exploration, as their feasibility for practical application in industrial settings has yet to be conclusively demonstrated. KEY POINTS: • ILs and DES share many tailoring properties for the recovery of microbial carotenoids • The use of ILs and DES for microbial carotenoid extraction remains driven by scientific curiosity. • The economic feasibility of ILs and DES is yet to be demonstrated in industrial applications.

PEGylated-liposomal astaxanthin ameliorates Aβ neurotoxicity and Alzheimer-related phenotypes by scavenging formaldehyde

Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is a prevailing type of dementia, presents a significant global health concern. The current therapies do not meet clinical expectations. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) has been found to induce endogenous formaldehyde (FA) accumulation by inactivating FA dehydrogenase (FDH); in turn, excessive FA triggers Aβ aggregation that eventually leads to AD onset. Hence, scavenging FA by astaxanthin (ATX, a strong exogenous antioxidant) may be pursued as a promising disease-modifying approach. Here, we report that liposomal nanoparticles coupled with PEG (PEG-ATX@NPs) could enhance water-solubility of ATX and alleviate cognitive impairments by scavenging FA and reducing Aβ deposition. To enable drug delivery to the brain, liposomes were used to encapsulate ATX and then coupled with PEG, which produced liposomal nanoparticles (PEGATX@NPs) with a diameter of <100 nm. The PEG-ATX@NPs reduced Aβ neurotoxicity by both degrading FA and reducing FA-induced Aβ assembly in vitro. Intraperitoneal administration of PEG-ATX@NPs in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice (APP/PS1, a familial model of AD), not only decreased the levels of brain FA and malondialdehyde (MDA, a typical product of oxidative stress), but also attenuated both intracellular Aβ oligomerization and extracellular Aβ-related senile plaque (SP) formation. These pathological changes were accompanied by rescued ability of spatial learning and memory. Collectively, PEG-ATX@NPs improved the water-solubility, bioavailability, and effectiveness of ATX. Thus, it has the potential to be developed as a safe and effective strategy for treating AD.

Exploring the Functional Properties and Nutritional Values of Colored Oyster Mushrooms Species (Pleurotus, Agaricomycetes): A Review

Colored oyster mushrooms species of genus Pleurotus are a variety of edible mushrooms that attract a lot of interest among the consumers and scientists due to its scientific evidence that they have promising health benefits. However, information on their characteristics and properties is still scarce. Consequently, it is important to determine the potential health benefits of the mushrooms. This review paper presents an overview of functional properties and nutritional values of colored oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.). It particularly discusses the types of pigments present in Pleurotus spp., their characteristics, and potential nutritional values. Pigments such as melanin, carotenoids, and flavonoids are reported to be present in colored oyster mushrooms. Moreover, the antioxidant compounds of these mushrooms have been unveiled, demonstrating their potential to counteract oxidative stress and improve general health. In addition, the investigation into the nutritional characteristics of the mushrooms reveals encouraging aspects for their incorporation into dietary considerations. Thus, it can be concluded that colored Pleurotus species have an immense amount of potential for use as natural colorants, as well as nutritious and antioxidant-rich compounds. These mushrooms represent an important advancement in the search for functional foods due to their significant nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, and fibers.

Inverse correlations between serum carotenoids and respiratory morbidity and mortality: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The objective was to evaluate the association between serum carotenoid levels and respiratory morbidity and mortality in a nationally representative sample of US adults. We assessed the association of serum carotenoid levels with respiratory morbidity and mortality using logistic regression and proportional hazards regression models. Meanwhile, a series of confounders were controlled in regression models and restricted cubic spline, which included age, sex, race, marriage, education, income, drinking, smoking, regular exercise, BMI, daily energy intake, vitamin E, vitamin C, fruit intake, vegetable intake, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Compared with participants in the lowest tertiles, participants in the highest tertiles of serum total carotenoids, β-cryptoxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin levels had a significantly lower prevalence of emphysema (ORtotal carotenoids = 0·61, 95% CI: 0·41-0·89, ORβ-cryptoxanthin = 0·67, 95% CI: 0·49-0·92), chronic bronchitis (ORβ-cryptoxanthin = 0·66, 95% CI: 0·50-0·87) and asthma (Q2: ORlutein/zeaxanthin = 0·78, 95% CI: 0·62-0·97); participants in the highest tertiles of total carotenoids, α-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin and lycopene had a lower risk of respiratory mortality (hazard ratio (HR)total carotenoids = 0·62, 95% CI: 0·42-0·90, HRα-carotene = 0·54, 95% CI: 0·36-0·82, HRlutein/zeaxanthin = 0·48, 95% CI: 0·33-0·71, HRlycopene = 0·66, 95% CI: 0·45-0·96) than those in the lowest tertiles. Higher serum total carotenoids and β-cryptoxanthin levels is associated with decreased prevalence of emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and higher serum total carotenoids, α-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin and lycopene levels had a lower mortality of respiratory disease.

Evaluation of Azolla filiculoides potential in pyrene and phenanthrene accumulation and phytoremediation in contaminated waters

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a serious threat to the health of the environment. This study investigated the potential of Azolla filiculoides for the uptake, accumulation, and biodegradation of phenanthrene and pyrene. A- filiculoides plants were treated with 10 and 30 mg L-1 concentrations of phenanthrene and pyrene for the experimental duration of ten days. Phenanthrene and pyrene concentrations were measured using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Identification of the intermediate by-products resulting from the biological degradation of PAHs was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The quantities of phenanthrene and pyrene in the ten-day treatments with 10 and 30 mg L-1 were 0.007 and 0.011 mg g-1 FW, and 0.048 and 0.079 mg g-1 FW, respectively. The growth parameters in the plants such as fresh weight, dry weight and RFN as well as the content of photosynthetic pigment of the plant decreased significantly compared to the control sample (p < 0.05). Ten compounds were identified from the plant tissue during the decomposition of pyrene and phenanthrene, and none of the PAHs were identified in the aquatic environment. Therefore, the use of A-filiculoides for phytoremediation of water resources contaminated with PAHs is an effective and promising method.

Carotenoids from Starfish Patiria pectinifera: Therapeutic Activity in Models of Inflammatory Diseases

The carotenoids mixture (MC) isolated from the starfish Patiria. pectinifera contains more than 50% astaxanthin, 4-6% each zeaxanthine and lutein, and less pharmacologically active components such as free fatty acids and their glycerides. Astaxanthin, the major component of MC, belongs to the xanthophyll class of carotenoids, and is well known for its antioxidant properties. In this work, in vitro and in vivo studies on the biological activity of MC were carried out. The complex was shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and cancer-preventive activity, without any toxicity at a dose of 500 mg/kg. MC effectively improves the clinical picture of the disease progressing, as well as normalizing the cytokine profile and the antioxidant defense system in the in vivo animal models of inflammatory diseases, namely: skin carcinogenesis, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and systemic inflammation (SI). In the skin carcinogenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene, the incidence of papillomas was decreased 1.5 times; 1% MC ointment form in allergic contact dermatitis showed an 80% reduced severity of pathomorphological skin manifestations. Obtained results show that MC from starfish P. pectinifera is an effective remedy for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory processes.

Protective Effect of Fucoxanthin on Zearalenone-Induced Hepatic Damage through Nrf2 Mediated by PI3K/AKT Signaling

Hepatotoxic contaminants such as zearalenone (ZEA) are widely present in foods. Marine algae have a wide range of potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. Research is ongoing to develop treatments and products based on the compounds found in algae. Fucoxanthin (FXN) is a brown-algae-derived dietary compound that is reported to prevent hepatotoxicity caused by ZEA. This compound has multiple biological functions, including anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, FXN is a powerful antioxidant. In this study, we examined the effects of FXN on ZEA-induced stress and inflammation in HepG2 cells. MTT assays, ROS generation assays, Western blots, and apoptosis analysis were used to evaluate the effects of FXN on ZEA-induced HepG2 cell inflammation. Pre-incubation with FXN reduced the cytotoxicity of ZEA toward HepG2 cells. FXN inhibited the ZEA-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, FXN increased HO-1 expression in HepG2 by activating the PI3K/AKT/NRF2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, FXN inhibits ZEA-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in hepatocytes by targeting Nrf2 via activating PI3K/AKT signaling.

Removal of mercury by silica-supported ionic liquids: Efficiency and ecotoxicological assessment

Anthropogenic impacts have affected the coastal environment and contributed to its contamination. Mercury (Hg) is widespread in nature and has been shown to be toxic in even the smallest amounts, negatively affecting not only the marine ecosystem but also the entire trophic chain due to its biomagnification. Mercury ranks third on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry (ATSDR) priority list and it is therefore imperative to develop more effective methods than those currently available to avoid the persistence of this contaminant in aquatic ecosystems. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of six different silica-supported ionic liquids (SIL) in removing Hg from contaminated saline water, under realistic conditions ([Hg] = 50 µg/L), and to ecotoxicologically evaluate the safety of the SIL-remedied water, using as test model the marine macroalga Ulva lactuca. The results revealed that SIL [Si][C3C1im][SCN] (250 mg/L) was the most effective in removing Hg from solution, with a efficiency up to 99 % in just 6 h, that enable to obtain < 1 µg/L Hg (European guideline in drinking water). U. lactuca exposed to either the SIL and/or the remedied water showed no significant changes in relative growth rate and chlorophyll a and b levels, compared to the control condition. Biomarker analysis (LPO, GSH, GSSG, SOD, GPx, CAT and GRed) also showed no significant changes in the biochemical performance of U. lactuca. Therefore, it could be assumed that water treatment with SIL or its presence in an aqueous environment does not pose toxicity levels that could inhibit the metabolism or cause cell damage to U. lactuca.

The Endless World of Carotenoids-Structural, Chemical and Biological Aspects of Some Rare Carotenoids

Carotenoids are a large and diverse group of compounds that have been shown to have a wide range of potential health benefits. While some carotenoids have been extensively studied, many others have not received as much attention. Studying the physicochemical properties of carotenoids using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and density functional theory (DFT) helped us understand their chemical structure and how they interact with other molecules in different environments. Ultimately, this can provide insights into their potential biological activity and how they might be used to promote health. In particular, some rare carotenoids, such as sioxanthin, siphonaxanthin and crocin, that are described here contain more functional groups than the conventional carotenoids, or have similar groups but with some situated outside of the rings, such as sapronaxanthin, myxol, deinoxanthin and sarcinaxanthin. By careful design or self-assembly, these rare carotenoids can form multiple H-bonds and coordination bonds in host molecules. The stability, oxidation potentials and antioxidant activity of the carotenoids can be improved in host molecules, and the photo-oxidation efficiency of the carotenoids can also be controlled. The photostability of the carotenoids can be increased if the carotenoids are embedded in a nonpolar environment when no bonds are formed. In addition, the application of nanosized supramolecular systems for carotenoid delivery can improve the stability and biological activity of rare carotenoids.

Role of secondary metabolites in distressed microalgae

Proficient photosynthetic microalgae/cyanobacteria produce a remarkable amount of various biomolecules. Secondary metabolites (SM) represent high value products for global biotrend application. Production improvement can be achieved by nutritional, environmental, and physiological stress as a first line tools for their stimulation. In recent decade, an increasing interest in algal stress biology and omics techniques have deepened knowledge in this area. However, deep understanding and connection of specific stress elucidator are missing. Hence, the present review summarizes recent evidence with an emphasis on the carotenoids, phenolic, and less-discussed compounds (glycerol, proline, mycosporins-like amino acids). Even when they are synthesized at very low concentrations, it highlights the need to expand knowledge in this area using genome-editing tools and omics approaches.

An In Vitro Evaluation of the Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Intranasal Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Astaxanthin Obtained from Different Sources: Comparative Studies

The intranasal route has been suggested as a promising alternative to improve the direct transport of molecules to the brain, avoiding the need to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this area, the use of lipid nanoparticles, namely solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), has been highlighted as a promising strategy to improve the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, formulations containing SLN and NLC that were loaded with astaxanthin that was obtained from different sources (astaxanthin extract (AE) from the algae Haematococcus pluvialis and pure astaxanthin (PA) from the fungi Blakeslea trispora) were prepared for nose-to-brain administration, and comparative in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the biocompatibility of the formulations with nasal (RPMI 2650) and neuronal (SH-SY5Y) cells. Afterwards, the antioxidant activity of the formulations was evaluated for its potential neuroprotective effects, using different chemical aggressors. Finally, the cellular uptake of the astaxanthin was evaluated for the formulations that showed the greatest neuroprotection of the neuronal cells against chemical-induced damage. On the production day, all the formulations showed a particle size, a high encapsulation efficiency (EE), the presence of nanoparticles with a typical spherical shape, and a polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential (ZP) that are suitable for nose-to-brain administration. After three months of storage at room temperature, no significant changes were observed in the characterization parameters, predicting a good long-term stability. Furthermore, these formulations were shown to be safe with concentrations of up to 100 µg/mL in differentiated SH-SY5Y and RPMI 2650 cells. Regarding neuroprotection studies, the PA-loaded SLN and NLC formulations showed an ability to counteract some mechanisms of neurodegeneration, including oxidative stress. Moreover, when compared with the PA-loaded SLN, the PA-loaded NLC showed greater neuroprotective effects against the cytotoxicity induced by aggressors. In contrast, the AE-loaded SLN and NLC formulations showed no significant neuroprotective effects. Although further studies are needed to confirm these neuroprotective effects, the results of this study suggest that the intranasal administration of PA-loaded NLC may be a promising alternative to improve the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Intranasal Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Bioactive Compounds Obtained from Marine Sources to Manage Neurodegenerative Diseases

Marine sources contain several bioactive compounds with high therapeutic potential, such as remarkable antioxidant activity that can reduce oxidative stress related to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, there has been a growing interest in these natural sources, especially those resulting from the processing of marine organisms (i.e., marine bio-waste), to obtain natural antioxidants as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants in a sustainable approach to promote circularity by recovering and creating value from these bio-wastes. However, despite their expected potential to prevent, delay, or treat neurodegenerative diseases, antioxidant compounds may have difficulty reaching the brain due to the need to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In this regard, alternative delivery systems administered by different routes have been proposed, including intranasal administration of lipid nanoparticles, such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), which have shown promising results. Intranasal administration shows several advantages, including the fact that molecules do not need to cross the BBB to reach the central nervous system (CNS), as they can be transported directly from the nasal cavity to the brain (i.e., nose-to-brain transport). The benefits of using SLN and NLC for intranasal delivery of natural bioactive compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases have shown relevant outcomes through in vitro and in vivo studies. Noteworthy, for bioactive compounds obtained from marine bio-waste, few studies have been reported, showing the open potential of this research area. This review updates the state of the art of using SLN and NLC to transport bioactive compounds from different sources, in particular, those obtained from marine bio-waste, and their potential application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Bioactivity of bacteria associated with Red Sea nudibranchs and whole genome sequence of Nocardiopsis dassonvillei RACA-4

Microorganisms associated with marine invertebrates consider an important source of bioactive products. This study aimed to screen for antimicrobial and anticancer activity of crude extracts of bacteria associated with Red sea nudibranchs and molecular identification of the bioactive isolates using 16Sr RNA sequencing, in addition to whole-genome sequencing of one of the most bioactive bacteria. This study showed that bacteria associated with Red sea nudibranchs are highly bioactive and 16Sr RNA sequencing results showed that two isolates belonged to Firmicutes, and two isolates belonged to Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. The whole genome sequence data of the isolated Nocardiopsis RACA4 isolate has an estimated genome length of 6,721,839 bp and the taxonomy showed it belongs to the bacteria Nocardiopsis dassonvillei. The De novo assembly of RACA-4 paired reads using Unicycler v0.4.8 initially yielded 97 contigs with an N50 value of 214,568 bp and L50 value of 10, The resulting assembly was further mapped to the reference genome Nocardiopsis dassonvillei strain NCTC10488 using RagTag software v.2.1.0 and a final genome assembly resulted in 39 contigs and N50 value of 6,726,007 and L50 of 1. Genome mining using anti-smash showed around 9.1% of the genome occupied with genes related to secondary metabolites biosynthesis. A wide variety of secondary metabolites belonging to Polyketides, Terpenes, and nonribosomal peptides were predicted with high degree of similarity to known compounds. Non-characterized clusters were also found which suggest new natural compounds discovered by further studies.

The Anticancer Potential of Plant-Derived Nutraceuticals via the Modulation of Gene Expression

Current studies show that approximately one-third of all cancer-related deaths are linked to diet and several cancer forms are preventable with balanced nutrition, due to dietary compounds being able to reverse epigenetic abnormalities. An appropriate diet in cancer patients can lead to changes in gene expression and enhance the efficacy of therapy. It has been demonstrated that nutraceuticals can act as powerful antioxidants at the cellular level as well as anticarcinogenic agents. This review is focused on the best studies on worldwide-available plant-derived nutraceuticals: curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol, quercetin, astaxanthin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and lycopene. These compounds have an enhanced effect on epigenetic changes such as histone modification via HDAC (histone deacetylase), HAT (histone acetyltransferase) inhibition, DNMT (DNA methyltransferase) inhibition, and non-coding RNA expression. All of these nutraceuticals are reported to positively modulate the epigenome, reducing cancer incidence. Furthermore, the current review addresses the issue of the low bioavailability of nutraceuticals and how to overcome the drawbacks related to their oral administration. Understanding the mechanisms by which nutraceuticals influence gene expression will allow their incorporation into an “epigenetic diet” that could be further capitalized on in the therapy of cancer.

Recent Progress in Antioxidant Active Substances from Marine Biota

BACKGROUND

The well-recognized but not fully explored antioxidant activity of marine-biota-derived, biologically active substances has led to interest in their study as substitutes of antibiotics, antiaging agents, anticancer and antiviral drugs, and others. The aim of this review is to present the current state of the art of marine-biota-derived antioxidants to give some ideas for potential industrial applications.

METHODS

This review is an update for the last 5 years on the marine sources of natural antioxidants, different classes antioxidant compounds, and current derivation biotechnologies.

RESULTS

New marine sources of antioxidants, including byproducts and wastes, are presented, along with new antioxidant substances and derivation approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

The interest in high-value antioxidants from marine biota continues. Natural substances combining antioxidant and antimicrobial action are of particular interest because of the increasing microbial resistance to antibiotic treatments. New antioxidant substances are discovered, along with those extracted from marine biota collected in other locations. Byproducts and wastes provide a valuable source of antioxidant substances. The application of optimized non-conventional derivation approaches is expected to allow the intensification of the production and improvement in the quality of the derived substances. The ability to obtain safe, high-value products is of key importance for potential industrialization.

An integration study of microalgae bioactive retention: From microalgae biomass to microalgae bioactives nanoparticle

Microalgae metabolites include biologically active compounds with therapeutic effects such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation effects. One of the most recent focuses is on utilizing microalgae lipid-based biologically active compounds in food applications. However, most microalgae biological active compounds in their natural forms have common drawbacks like low solubility, low physicochemical stability and strong susceptibility to degradation, which significantly limits their application in foods, therefore, it is important to find solutions to retain their functional properties. In the present work, a comprehensive review on multi-product biorefinery was carried out from upstream processing stage to downstream processing stage, and identify critical processes and factors that impact bioactive material acquisition and retention. Furthermore, since nanoencapsulation technology emerges as an effective solution for microalgae nutraceutical product's retention, this work also focus on the nanoparticle perspective and comprehensively reviews the current nanoencapsulation solutions of the microalgae bioactive extract products. The aim is to depict advances in the formulations of microalage bioactive nanoparticles and provide a critical analysis of the reported nanoparticle formation. Overall, through the investigation of microalgae from biomass to bioactive nanoparticles, we aim to facilitate microalgae nutraceuticals incorporation as high value-added ingredients in more functional food that can improve human health.

Influence of Cultivation Conditions on the Sioxanthin Content and Antioxidative Protection Effect of a Crude Extract from the Vegetative Mycelium of Salinispora tropica

Due to their bioavailability, glycosylated carotenoids may have interesting biological effects. Sioxanthin, as a representative of this type of carotenoid, has been identified in marine actinomycetes of the genus Salinispora. This study evaluates, for the first time, the effect of cultivation temperature (T) and light intensity (LI) on the total cellular carotenoid content (TC), antioxidant activity (AA) and sioxanthin content (SX) of a crude extract (CE) from Salinispora tropica biomass in its vegetative state. Treatment-related differences in TC and SX values were statistically significantly and positively affected by T and LI, while AA was most significantly affected by T. In the S. tropica CE, TC correlated well (R² = 0.823) with SX and somewhat less with AA (R² = 0.777). A correlation between AA and SX was found to be less significant (R² = 0.731). The most significant protective effect against oxidative stress was identified in the CE extracted from S. tropica biomass grown at the highest T and LI (CE-C), as was demonstrated using LNCaP and KYSE-30 human cell lines. The CE showed no cytotoxicity against LNCaP and KYSE-30 cell lines.

Sponges and Their Symbionts as a Source of Valuable Compounds in Cosmeceutical Field

In the last decades, the marine environment was discovered as a huge reservoir of novel bioactive compounds, useful for medicinal treatments improving human health and well-being. Among several marine organisms exhibiting biotechnological potential, sponges were highlighted as one of the most interesting phyla according to a wide literature describing new molecules every year. Not surprisingly, the first marine drugs approved for medical purposes were isolated from a marine sponge and are now used as anti-cancer and anti-viral agents. In most cases, experimental evidence reported that very often associated and/or symbiotic communities produced these bioactive compounds for a mutual benefit. Nowadays, beauty treatments are formulated taking advantage of the beneficial properties exerted by marine novel compounds. In fact, several biological activities suitable for cosmetic treatments were recorded, such as anti-oxidant, anti-aging, skin whitening, and emulsifying activities, among others. Here, we collected and discussed several scientific contributions reporting the cosmeceutical potential of marine sponge symbionts, which were exclusively represented by fungi and bacteria. Bioactive compounds specifically indicated as products of the sponge metabolism were also included. However, the origin of sponge metabolites is dubious, and the role of the associated biota cannot be excluded, considering that the isolation of symbionts represents a hard challenge due to their uncultivable features.

New insights into chemical compositions and health promoting effects of edible oils from new resources

This paper discusses the chemical compositions and health benefits of several kinds of oils which are extracted from new resources, including avocado seed oil, jackfruit seed oil, papaya seed oil, custard-apple seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, cherry seed oil, and pumpkin seed oil. In addition, the beneficial components found in these oils provide a future trend towards the utilization of seed oils as functional foods in the prevention and management of various chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the development prospects of some seed oils, such as papaya seed oil or custard-apple seed oil, need to be further studied and reconsidered due to the unconfirmed edibility. Furthermore, some other hindrances need to be solved to make better use of these valuable food industry by-products.

Xanthophylls from the Sea: Algae as Source of Bioactive Carotenoids

Algae are considered pigment-producing organisms. The function of these compounds in algae is to carry out photosynthesis. They have a great variety of pigments, which can be classified into three large groups: chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phycobilins. Within the carotenoids are xanthophylls. Xanthophylls (fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin) are a type of carotenoids with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities, due to their chemical structure rich in double bonds that provides them with antioxidant properties. In this context, xanthophylls can protect other molecules from oxidative stress by turning off singlet oxygen damage through various mechanisms. Based on clinical studies, this review shows the available information concerning the bioactivity and biological effects of the main xanthophylls present in algae. In addition, the algae with the highest production rate of the different compounds of interest were studied. It was observed that fucoxanthin is obtained mainly from the brown seaweeds Laminaria japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Hizikia fusiformis, Sargassum spp., and Fucus spp. The main sources of astaxanthin are the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella zofingiensis, and Chlorococcum sp. Lutein and zeaxanthin are mainly found in algal species such as Scenedesmus spp., Chlorella spp., Rhodophyta spp., or Spirulina spp. However, the extraction and purification processes of xanthophylls from algae need to be standardized to facilitate their commercialization. Finally, we assessed factors that determine the bioavailability and bioaccesibility of these molecules. We also suggested techniques that increase xanthophyll’s bioavailability.

Benefits under the Sea: The Role of Marine Compounds in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Marine habitats offer a rich reservoir of new bioactive compounds with great pharmaceutical potential; the variety of these molecules is unique, and its production is favored by the chemical and physical conditions of the sea. It is known that marine organisms can synthesize bioactive molecules to survive from atypical environmental conditions, such as oxidative stress, photodynamic damage, and extreme temperature. Recent evidence proposed a beneficial role of these compounds for human health. In particular, xanthines, bryostatin, and 11-dehydrosinulariolide displayed encouraging neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative disorders. This review will focus on the most promising marine drugs' neuroprotective potential for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. We will describe these marine compounds' potential as adjuvant therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, based on their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.

Protective Effects of Fucoxanthin on High Glucose- and 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)-Induced Injury in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing due to the eating and living habits of modern people. As the disease progresses, the long-term effects of diabetes can cause microvascular disease, causing dysfunction in different parts of the body, which, in turn, leads to different complications, such as diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is the main cause of vision loss and blindness in diabetic patients. Persistent hyperglycemia may cause damage to the retina, induce the accumulation of inflammatory factors, and destroy the blood–retinal barrier function. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a marine carotenoid extracted from seaweed. It accounts for more than 10% of the total carotenoids in nature. Fx is mainly found in brown algae and has strong antioxidant properties, due to its unique biologically active structure. This carotenoid also has the effects of reducing lipid peroxidation, reducing DNA damage, and preventing cardiovascular diseases as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, there is no relevant research on the protective effect of Fx in DR. Therefore, in this study, we explore the protective effect of Fx on the retina. Human retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19) are used to investigate the protective effect of Fx on high glucose stress- (glucose 75 mM) and high lipid peroxidation stress (4-hydroxynonenal, 4-HNE (30 μM))-induced DR. The cell viability test shows that Fx recovered the cell damage, and Western blotting shows that Fx reduced the inflammation response and maintained the integrity of the blood–retinal barrier by reducing its apoptosis and cell adhesion factor protein expression. Using an antioxidant enzyme assay kit, we find that the protective effect of Fx may be related to the strong antioxidant properties of Fx, which increases catalase and reduces oxidative stress to produce a protective effect on the retina.

On a Beam of Light: Photoprotective Activities of the Marine Carotenoids Astaxanthin and Fucoxanthin in Suppression of Inflammation and Cancer

Every day, we come into contact with ultraviolet radiation (UVR). If under medical supervision, small amounts of UVR could be beneficial, the detrimental and hazardous effects of UVR exposure dictate an unbalance towards the risks on the risk-benefit ratio. Acute and chronic effects of ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B involve mainly the skin, the immune system, and the eyes. Photodamage is an umbrella term that includes general phototoxicity, photoaging, and cancer caused by UVR. All these phenomena are mediated by direct or indirect oxidative stress and inflammation and are strictly connected one to the other. Astaxanthin (ASX) and fucoxanthin (FX) are peculiar marine carotenoids characterized by outstanding antioxidant properties. In particular, ASX showed exceptional efficacy in counteracting all categories of photodamages, in vitro and in vivo, thanks to both antioxidant potential and activation of alternative pathways. Less evidence has been produced about FX, but it still represents an interesting promise to prevent the detrimental effect of UVR. Altogether, these results highlight the importance of digging into the marine ecosystem to look for new compounds that could be beneficial for human health and confirm that the marine environment is as much as full of active compounds as the terrestrial one, it just needs to be more explored.