Determining the ability of astaxanthin from haematococcus pluvialis on the protection of skin in the mouse model

Abstract

This study focuses on determining astaxanthin (AST)’s ability to prevent adverse effects of H2 O2 and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on cells and skin. A Haematococcus pluvialis strain, obtained from Vietnam, was used for AST extraction. It consists of free (4.4% ± 0.7%) and esterified form and accounts for 2.9% ± 0.5% dry weight. 3T3 cells were pre-treated with AST (1, 2.5, 5, 10 µg/ml) or commercial astaxanthin (10 µg/ml) for 24 hours prior to H2 O2 treatment (200 µM, 90 minutes). The results showed that the AST protected 3T3 cells: reduction of mortality rate (16.08%–21.52%), senescence-associated β-galactosidase—positive cells (28.9%–40.8%), and maintenance of cell proliferation, morphology. AST 5 µg/ml is the optimal concentration in this experiment. Mus musculus var. Albino was treated with a daily dose of topical AST (20 or 200 μg/ml) and UV irradiation for 6 weeks. The results showed that AST reduced wrinkles and retained mouse skin’s physiology that closed to the control group. AST 20 μg/ml was the best effective concentration in this experiment. In conclusion, AST has been shown to have the ability to protect fibroblasts, skin from the adverse effects of H2 O2, UV irradiation.