Study on the Enhancement of Immune Function of Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of astaxanthin on the immune function and its safety in mice. It was administered once daily at low, medium and high doses (4.2, 8.35, 16.70 mg/kg BW) to mice for 30 days. Subsequently, the spleen and thymus index, spleen lymphocyte transformation activity, delayed allergy reaction, amounts of antibody-producing cells, half-hemolytic value HC50, carbon particle clearance rate, macrophage phagocytosis, and natural killer cell (NK) activity were determined. Acute oral toxicity and genotoxicity tests were conducted to evaluate the safety of astaxanthin. Compared with the control group, medium and high doses of astaxanthin significantly increased the proliferation and transformation activities of spleen lymphocytes, activities of antibody-producing cells, serum hemolysin levels, and carbon particle clearance rate in mice (phagocytic index). High doses significantly improved delayed allergy reaction and NK cell activity. Results of acute oral toxicity and genotoxicity tests were negative. Gross anatomical observations and histopathological examination showed no abnormal changes associated with the treatments. In the article, it is confirmed that astaxanthin treatments significantly improve immune functions and show no toxic effects in the experimental doses.