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Review
. 2025 Mar 25.
doi: 10.1007/s12033-025-01420-w. Online ahead of print.

Marine Carotenoids: Unlocking Advanced Antioxidant Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications for Oxidative Stress

Fatima Iftikhar Shah  1 , Hassan Imran  1 , Fatima Akram  2   3 , Tooba Khalid  4 , Somia Shehzadi  1
Affiliations
Review

Marine Carotenoids: Unlocking Advanced Antioxidant Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications for Oxidative Stress

Fatima Iftikhar Shah et al. Mol Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Marine ecosystems are a rich source of bioactive compounds, with carotenoids like astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, and zeaxanthin demonstrating significant antioxidant properties. These carotenoids neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), protecting against oxidative damage. This review examines their molecular structures, biosynthesis pathways, and mechanisms of action, including radical scavenging and involvement in key signaling pathways. Antioxidant assays confirm their potent ability to mitigate oxidative stress, with therapeutic implications for chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Carotenoids also show promise in food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications, emphasizing the importance of sustainable sourcing. This review highlights the role of carotenoids in preventive health strategies and their potential to address oxidative stress-related diseases.

Keywords: Algae; Antioxidants; Bacteria; Cancer; Carotenoids; Metabolites.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. We assure the integrity and quality of our research work. It is also stated that there is no plagiarism in this work and all points taken from other authors are well cited in the text. This study is completely independent and impartial. Ethical Approval: Our study did not require Ethical Board approval because it did not contain human or animal trials. This research did not involve human participants and/or animals. Consent for Publication: All authors give their content for this publication. Informed Consent: N/A. This research did not involve human participants.

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