Astaxanthin - a superb natural antioxidant

ARTICLES MEDICAL AND NUTRACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS OF ASTAXANTHIN

Medical researchers have shown that ASTAXANTHIN may have significant pharmaceutical applications. In-vitro experiments, in-vivo pre-clinical studies and early-stage clinical trials have clearly indicated the possibility that ASTAXANTHIN itself, or in conjunction with other components, behaves like a prophylactic and curing agent against various diseases and health conditions (See Tables 2 and 3).


TABLE 2. SELECTED PATENTS ON ASTAXANTHIN HEALTH AND NUTRITION
APPLICATIONS
PATENT NUMBER
COMPANY
PATENT TITTLE
EP0786990 US NUTRACEUTICALS USE OF ASTAXANTHIN FOR RETARDING AND AMELIORATING CENTRALNERVOUS SYSTEM AND EYE DAMAGE
EP1217996 ASTACAROTENE USE OF ASTAXANTHIN FOR TREATMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES,CHRONIC VIRAL AND INTRACELLULAR BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
US6475547 ASTACAROTENE Immunoglobulin-rich milk, production and use thereof
WO0023064 ASTACAROTENE TREATMENT OF DYSPEPSIA
US6410602 ASTACAROTENE Method of increasing the production and improving the quality of semen
US6335015 ASTACAROTENE Method of the prophylactic treatment of mastitis
US6262316 ASTACAROTENE Oral preparation for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment ofHELICOBACTER SP. infection
US6245818 ASTACAROTENE Medicament for improvement of duration of muscle function or treatmentof muscle disorders or diseases
US6054491 ASTACAROTENE Agent for increasing the production of/in breeding and production mammals
US5744502 ASTACAROTENE Method for increasing the production of/in breeding and productionA NIMALS IN the poultry industry
US6433025 CYANOTECH Method for retarding and preventing sunburn by UV light
US6344214 CYANOTECH Method for retarding and ameliorating fever blisters and canker sores
US6258855 CYANOTECH Method of retarding and ameliorating carpal tunnel syndrome
EP1283038 SUNTORY LTD COMPOSITIONS NORMALIZING CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
WO03013556 ITAKURA HIROSHIGE MEDICINAL COMPOSITIONS HAVING EFFECTS OF AMELIORATINGEYE DISEASES AND HOLDING EYE FUNCTIONS
WO03003848 AANESEN BERIT ANNIE THE USE OF DI-ESTERS OF ASTAXANTHIN FOR ENHANCING THE GROWTH OFFARMED FISH
WO02094253 FUJI CHEM IND CO AGENTS FOR RELIEVING EYE CONTROLLING FUNCTION ERROR
KR2000045197 PACIFIC CO LTD HEALTHY NUTRITION COMPOSITION CONTAINING CHITOSAN OLIGOSACCHARIDEAND ASTAXANTHIN
WO02058683 LYCORED CAROTENOIDS AS ANTI-HYPERTENSION AGENTS
NZ299641 SUNTORY AND ITANO Use of astaxanthin in pharmaceuticals for treating stress
US6277417 TRIARCO Method OF INHIBITING 5alpha-reductase with astaxanthin
US2003/778304 anderson AND PETTERSON METHOD OF INHIBITING THE EXPRESSION OF INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES AND CHEMOKINES
JP10276721 SUNTORY AND ITANO ASTAXANTHIN-CONTAINING FOOD OR DRINK
 
TABLE 3. SELECTED ARTICLES ON ASTAXANTHIN APPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN AND MAMMALIAN HEALTH
DISEASE
REFERENCE
central nervous system and neurodegradative diseases 6
eye health 6, 23 - 26
JOINT HEALTH, muscle endurance 27, 28
Inflammation and immune system 5, 29 - 46
cardiovascular, heart, LIPID peroxidation and blood 47 - 53
cancer 49, 54 - 65
fertlity 66, 67
sunburn and skin HEALTH, anti-aging and anti-wrinkling 26, 68 - 72
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) 73

 


CONCLUSIONS AND PRODUCT FUTURE

Numerous scientific papers indicate that natural ASTAXANTHIN has great potential as a superb antioxidant with beneficial effects on various human diseases and physiological phenomena. Algatech’s advanced commercial production of natural ASTAXANTHIN from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis supplies the market with high-quality products rich in ASTAXANTHIN, suitable for human applications. Further clinical data will strengthen the scientific basis for the role of natural ASTAXANTHIN as a unique and efficient antioxidant and for its use in human health. We expect that in a few years' time, the natural ASTAXANTHIN market will significantly increase its volume and line of applications. New specific ASTAXANTHIN-based products will be designed for the treatment of specific diseases. Some of these new products will contain other components as well (the "cocktail concept"), such as other carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals, and more. The natural ASTAXANTHIN market will become sophisticated and multi-product, and will include products for the food, food coloring, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries as well.

 

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