Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41009015›Full record

ReviewAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Carotenoids and Their Interaction with the Immune System.

Miguel Medina-García, Andrés Baeza-Morales, Pascual Martínez-Peinado, Sandra Pascual-García, Carolina Pujalte-Satorre, Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa, José Miguel Sempere-Ortells

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Therapeutic potential of phytochemical compounds in cardiovascular disease: a comprehensive review.Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society · 2026
    Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. In Silico and In-vitro assessment of β carotene extracted from Westella botryoides for fighting multidrug resistant bacterial strains.International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology · 2026
    Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
  9. Article
  10. Review
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Significance of Vitamins A and E in Cancer Progression and Prevention.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
  16. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Miguel Medina-GarcíaImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0009-0006-1924-8729
Andrés Baeza-MoralesImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Pascual Martínez-PeinadoImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-4370-5468
Sandra Pascual-GarcíaImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-0536-1185
Carolina Pujalte-SatorreImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Rosa María Martínez-EspinosaBiochemistry and Molecular Biology and Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-2679-135X
José Miguel Sempere-OrtellsImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.

Funding

Generalitat Valenciana PROMETEO/2021/055
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Carotenoids are lipophilic pigments naturally occurring in plants and, to a lesser extent, in certain non-photosynthetic organisms. They play a critical role in human health due to their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Key carotenoids such as β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are capable of neutralizing reactive oxygen species, thereby mitigating oxidative stress-a major contributor to the onset and progression of chronic diseases. These compounds also modulate immune responses by influencing lymphocyte proliferation, enhancing natural killer cell activity, and regulating the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Such immunomodulatory effects are associated with a reduced risk of infectious diseases and have shown potential protective roles against inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, and certain types of cancer. Moreover, diets rich in carotenoids are linked to improved immune status, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Despite strong epidemiological evidence, clinical trials involving carotenoid supplementation have produced mixed results, indicating that their effectiveness may depend on the broader dietary context and interactions with other nutrients. In summary, carotenoids are important dietary compounds that contribute to immune regulation and the prevention of various diseases, although further clinical research is needed to determine optimal intake levels and assess their full therapeutic potential.

Indexed as

antioxidantimmunomodulationnutraceuticalsphytochemicals

Identifiers

PMID41009015
PMCPMC12466690

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.