Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41596351›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

The Role of Astaxanthin as an Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent in Human Health: A Systematic Review.

Giuseppina Malcangi, Angelo Michele Inchingolo, Lucia Casamassima, Irma Trilli, Laura Ferrante, Marialuisa Longo, Francesco Inchingolo, Grazia Marinelli, Andrea Palermo, Gianna Dipalma and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewReview
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

11 authors.

Giuseppina MalcangiInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9745-7506
Angelo Michele InchingoloInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0104-6337
Lucia CasamassimaInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-6923-2102
Irma TrilliInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2882-025X
Laura FerranteInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0009-0007-1494-3519
Marialuisa LongoInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.
Francesco InchingoloInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3797-5883
Grazia MarinelliInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9163-2350
Andrea PalermoDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3288-490X
Gianna DipalmaInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5947-8987
Alessio Danilo InchingoloInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-6366-1039

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to summarize the effects of astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic regulation in human studies. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and PubMed for articles published between 2020 and 2025. Fifteen studies involving human participants were included, while in vitro and animal studies were excluded. ASX consistently reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1) and oxidative stress indices while increasing antioxidant capacity (SOD, TAC). Combined ASX and exercise interventions improved body composition, lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, and immune recovery. In women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis, ASX downregulated endoplasmic reticulum stress-related apoptotic pathways and improved oocyte and embryo quality. Cardiometabolic and respiratory outcomes showed improved endothelial function and reduced disease severity. Astaxanthin demonstrates broad antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its role as a promising adjunctive therapy for metabolic, reproductive, and cardiovascular health. Further well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm optimal dosing and mechanisms of action.

Indexed as

Anti-Inflammatory AgentsAntioxidantsDietary SupplementsFemaleHumansInflammationOxidative StressXanthophyllsAnti-Inflammatory AgentsAntioxidantsastaxanthineXanthophyllsanti-inflammatoryantioxidantastaxanthinoxidative stress

Identifiers

PMID41596351
PMCPMC12840775

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.