Protective effects of the astaxanthin derivative, adonixanthin, on brain hemorrhagic injury

In an in vitro study, adonixanthin exerted cytoprotective effects against each type of damage, and its effects were stronger than those of astaxanthin. The increased production of reactive oxygen species in human brain endothelial cells in the hemoglobin treatment group was inhibited by adonixanthin. Moreover, adonixanthin suppressed cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. In an in vivo study, the oral administration of adonixanthin improved blood-brain barrier hyper-permeability in an autologous blood ICH model. We herein demonstrated for the first time that adonixanthin exerted protective effects against hemorrhagic brain damage by activating antioxidant defenses, and has potential as a protectant against intracerebral hemorrhage.