Canthaxanthin

514-78-3

C40H52O2

DMSO : 5 mg/mL (8.85 mM; Need ultrasonic and warming)

Metabolic Enzyme/Protease; NF-kappaB; Immunology/Inflammation

Canthaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid with various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor properties. In Vitro: Canthaxanthin enrichment of LDL has the potential to protect cholesterol from oxidation. In addition to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties (e.g., the induction of catalase and superoxide dismutase), canthaxanthin shows immunomodulatory activity (e.g. enhancing the proliferation and function of immune competent cells) and plays important role in gap junction communication (e.g. induction of the transmembrane protein connexin)^[1]. At concentrations of 0.1 to 1 x 1000 uM, canthaxanthin significantly reduces the overall number of tumor cells. The greatest inhibition is observed at a canthaxanthin concentration of 1000 after 72 h and 96 h of incubation^[2]. In Vivo: Canthaxanthin alters the protective ability of tissues against oxidative stress. Canthaxanthin treatment for 15 d at the dose of 14 ug/kg body weight results in hepatic incorporation of the carotenoid, which is maximum in liver and reaches 0.52 +/- 0.05 nmol/g liver. Glutathione peroxidase activity is 35% lower and catalase (59%) and manganese superoxide dismutase (28%) activities are higher in canthaxanthin-treated mice than in controls^[3]. Canthaxanthin inhibit the growth of mammary tumors in mice and the anti-tumor activity is also influenced by the supplemental dose^[4]. Diet supplementation with canthaxanthin for 3 weeks prior to the carcinogen results in a 65% reduction in the number of mammary cancers by a mechanism not involving pro-vitamin A activity^[5].