Substantial Effects of Carotenoids on Skin Health: A Mechanistic Perspective

Abstract

There has been an upsurge in the incidences of skin disorders and their mortalities owing to various environmental, hormonal, and epigenetic risk factors. Melanoma, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and photoaging and associated consequences are largely observed in the population globally. The social stigma, economic burden, and adverse effects from chronic medication endured by the patients emphasize the necessity of more effective natural therapeutics. Carotenoids are economically valuable tetraterpenoid pigments synthesized by plants and microorganisms, which play a paramount role in their overall growth and development. Extensive in vitro and in vivo investigations evidenced that phytopigments like carotenoids target multiple intracellular signaling pathways involving the mitogen-activated protein kinases, Janus kinase/signal transducers, and activators of transcription, apoptotic, and autophagy proteins to ameliorate melanoma. Besides, carotenoids curbed the activation and the release of immunoregulatory molecules such as cytokines and chemokines to abrogate skin immune disorders, photoaging, and associated consequences. Here, we provide a holistic discussion on the pathophysiology of prominent skin disorders and the ameliorating effects of carotenoids as evidenced in the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical interventions. We also advocate the requisite of formulating carotenoid medications after extensive clinical interventions and validation for mitigating various skin dysfunctions.

Keywords: Pigments; atopic dermatitis; carotenoids; melanoma; photoaging; psoriasis.