Astaxanthin esters extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis
Also known as: Astaxanthin monoesters (Ast-mE), Astaxanthin diesters (Ast-dE), Astaxanthin esters
Overview
Astaxanthin esters are carotenoid compounds derived from astaxanthin, primarily sourced from the green microalga *Haematococcus pluvialis*. In this organism, astaxanthin is predominantly found in esterified forms, meaning it is chemically bonded with fatty acids. This esterification influences its chemical properties, stability, and potentially its biological activity and bioavailability. As a potent xanthophyll, astaxanthin esters are primarily utilized as a natural antioxidant supplement. They are widely researched and applied for their benefits in skin health, including anti-aging effects and photoprotection. Additionally, they show promise in anti-inflammatory and anticancer research. The lipophilic nature of these esters contributes to their strong antioxidant capacity, making them a valuable ingredient in dietary supplements.
Benefits
Oral supplementation with astaxanthin esters from *Haematococcus pluvialis* has demonstrated significant benefits for skin health. A meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 293 subjects showed statistically significant improvements in skin moisture content (effect size 0.53, 95% CI 0.05 to 1.01, p=0.03) and skin elasticity (effect size 0.77, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.35, p=0.009). These moderate effect sizes suggest clinically relevant improvements, particularly for adults concerned with skin aging. The benefits typically become noticeable after several weeks to a few months of consistent use. Furthermore, astaxanthin esters exhibit potential in inhibiting skin cancer and tyrosinase activity, contributing to their overall antioxidative and photoprotective effects, as supported by in vitro and in vivo models. The evidence quality for skin health benefits is good, stemming from multiple RCTs and meta-analyses.
How it works
Astaxanthin esters exert their beneficial effects primarily through potent antioxidant activity. They function by efficiently scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby reducing oxidative stress within skin cells and other tissues. This protective action helps mitigate damage caused by environmental factors like UV radiation. In the skin, astaxanthin esters protect cells from UV-induced damage and modulate inflammatory pathways. They are also known to interact with the tyrosinase enzyme, which is involved in melanin synthesis, potentially contributing to their photoprotective and skin-brightening effects. The esterification of astaxanthin influences its lipophilicity, which in turn affects its absorption, distribution within the body, and interaction with cellular membranes, though the precise impact on bioavailability is still under investigation.
Side effects
Astaxanthin esters are generally considered safe for consumption, with no serious adverse events consistently reported in randomized controlled trials. Common side effects (occurring in more than 5% of users) have not been observed. Similarly, uncommon side effects (1-5%) are not significantly documented. Rare side effects (less than 1%) have also not been reported. There are no well-documented drug interactions; however, caution is advised when co-administering with anticoagulants due to general carotenoid effects on blood parameters, although specific interactions with astaxanthin esters are not established. No contraindications have been established. Safety data for special populations, such as pregnant or lactating women, are limited, and therefore, safety in these groups has not been fully established.
Dosage
Clinical trials typically utilize daily doses of astaxanthin (including esterified forms) ranging from 4 mg to 12 mg. For optimal skin benefits, a dosage of 6–12 mg per day is commonly recommended. The maximum safe dose frequently used in studies without reported adverse effects is up to 12 mg/day; higher doses require further research to confirm safety and efficacy. To enhance absorption, oral administration with meals, particularly those containing dietary fats, is advised due to the lipophilic nature of astaxanthin esters. The esterified form from *Haematococcus pluvialis* is the most common type found in supplements. No specific cofactors are required, but consuming with fats significantly improves bioavailability.
FAQs
Is astaxanthin from *H. pluvialis* more effective than synthetic astaxanthin?
Esterified natural astaxanthin may offer better stability and bioactivity compared to synthetic forms, but direct comparative randomized controlled trials are currently limited.
How long does it take to see effects on skin?
Based on clinical trial durations, noticeable improvements in skin parameters typically become apparent after several weeks to a few months of consistent daily supplementation.
Is astaxanthin safe for long-term use?
Current evidence supports the safety of astaxanthin esters for use over several months. However, comprehensive data on very long-term safety (beyond six months) are still limited.
Does astaxanthin help with wrinkle reduction?
While astaxanthin improves skin moisture and elasticity, meta-analyses have not shown a significant effect on reducing wrinkle depth (p=0.11).
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8472736/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis, published in Nutrients in 2021, analyzed 8 RCTs with a total of 293 subjects to evaluate the effects of oral astaxanthin on skin parameters. It concluded that astaxanthin significantly improved skin moisture and elasticity, but not wrinkle depth. The study highlighted moderate to high quality evidence from RCTs, despite some heterogeneity and small sample sizes in individual trials.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34578794/ – This PubMed entry corresponds to the same systematic review and meta-analysis by Zhou et al., 2021. It confirms the findings of significant improvements in skin moisture and elasticity with oral astaxanthin supplementation, based on a meta-analysis of multiple randomized controlled trials.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.0c02479 – This ACS Omega publication from 2020 provides a detailed chemical characterization of astaxanthin ester forms found in *Haematococcus pluvialis*. It discusses how the fatty acid chain length and esterification state influence the chromatographic profiles and potentially the biological activity of astaxanthin esters, indicating the complexity in standardizing these supplements.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsomega.0c02479 – This link also points to the ACS Omega chemical characterization study. It reinforces the understanding that the specific ester forms of astaxanthin in *H. pluvialis* are crucial for their chemical behavior and potential biological effects, providing foundational knowledge for understanding astaxanthin ester supplements.