Advances in fucoxanthin chemistry and management of neurodegenerative diseases

Na Li; Xiaoxiang Gao; Lingjun Zheng; Qihui Huang; Feng Zeng; Hongbin Chen; Mohamed A Farag; Chao Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154352

Advances in fucoxanthin chemistry and management of neurodegenerative diseases

Phytomedicine. 2022 Oct:105:154352. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154352. Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Authors

Na Li¹, Xiaoxiang Gao², Lingjun Zheng³, Qihui Huang⁴, Feng Zeng¹, Hongbin Chen⁵, Mohamed A Farag⁶, Chao Zhao⁷

Affiliations

¹ College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
³ School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
⁴ College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
⁵ College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; College of Oceanology and Food Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China. Electronic address: yummyway@qq.com.
⁶ Pharmacognosy Department, College of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: mohamed.farag@pharma.cu.edu.eg.
⁷ College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China. Electronic address: zhchao@live.cn.

PMID: 35917771
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154352

Abstract

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic, currently incurable, diseases of the elderly, which are characterized by protein misfolding and neuronal damage. Fucoxanthin, derived from marine brown algae, presents a promising candidate for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

Hypothesis and purpose: The relationship between neurodegenerative disease management and fucoxanthin has not yet been clarified. This study focuses on the fundamental mechanisms and targets of fucoxanthin in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease management, showing that communication between the brain and the gut contributes to neurodegenerative diseases and early diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases. This paper also presents, new insights for future therapeutic directions based on the integrated application of artificial intelligence.

Conclusion: Fucoxanthin primarily binds to amyloid fibrils with spreading properties such as Aβ, tau, and α-synuclein to reduce their accumulation levels, alleviate inflammatory factors, and restore mitochondrial membranes to prevent oxidative stress via Nrf2 and Akt signaling pathways, involving reduction of specific secretases. In addition, fucoxanthin may serve as a preventive diagnosis for neurodegenerative diseases through ophthalmic disorders. It can modulate gut microbes and has potential for the alleviation and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Fucoxanthin; Intestinal microbiota; Neuroprotection; Ophthalmic diseases; Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Amyloid beta-Peptides
Artificial Intelligence
Humans
Neurodegenerative Diseases*
Parkinson Disease*
Xanthophylls

Substances

Amyloid beta-Peptides
Xanthophylls
fucoxanthin