Synonym name: Fucoxanthol
Catalogue No.: BP0603
Cas No.: 3351-86-8
Formula: C₄₂H₅₈O₆
Mol Weight: 658.92
Botanical Source: Algae

Purity: 10%, 50%, 90%, 95%, 98% by HPLC-DAD

Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle
Can be supplied from milligrams to grams, up to kgs.
Inquire for bulk scale.

Except supplying the Fucoxanthin for reference standard and R&D, we also supply the Fucoxanthin for food, nutrition and cosmetics request.

Description: 

Fucoxanthin is a brown seaweed pigment that is found in most brown seaweeds, as well as a few other marine sources. It is a xanthophyll, which is a molecule structurally similar to beta-carotene and vitamin A; yet fucoxanthin does not possess vitamin-like activity in the body.

Some metabolic and nutritional studies carried out on rats and mice at Hokkaido University indicate that fucoxanthin promotes fat burning within fat cells in white adipose tissue by increasing the expression of thermogenin.A subsequent double-blind placebo-controlled human study of females with liver disease using supplementation with seaweed extract containing fucoxanthin in combination with pomegranate seed oil showed in an average 4.9 kg (11 lb) weight loss in obese women over a 16-week period.

Another 16-week trial is currently underway that is investigating the effects of a combination supplement of brown seaweed extract (containing fucoxanthin) and pomegranate seed oil. This study is looking at the effects of this supplement on body composition, resting energy expenditure, blood pressure, and serum lipid levels and liver enzyme levels of obese men and women following a hypocaloric diet. A manuscript involving the complete results of this study is still pending.

Fucoxanthin is being looked into for its anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anti-cancer effects. A study has shown that fucoxanthin has strong effects on oxidative stress, oxidative stress-related diseases, and cancers. 

Research on how fucoxanthin may have preventive effects on cancer is also being done. Many studies show that it aids in anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, suppression of angiogenesis, and anti-drug potential. Without reducing its therapeutic efficacy, fucoxanthin could also reduce the toxicity that comes with the use of conventional medicine. More research in animal models of disease is needed to be done to obtain more conclusive evidence on the molecular basis of fucoxanthin action. 

Fucoxanthin is isolated from a brown algae which has been reported to be a popular health food. The fucoxanthin in this algae induces apoptosis of various cancer cells. It also has anti-tumor activities in various cancer cells. This particular study has shown that fucoxanthin has an inhibitory effect on invasiveness of cancer cells through suppressing the expression of gelatinolytic enzyme MMP-9. This study also found that fucoxanthin suppressed the motility of melanoma cells. 

Fucoxanthin, via its metabolites, seems to be stored in fat cells for a prolonged period of time and can induce fat loss while inhibiting fat cell differentiation and proliferation. Although only one human study has been published, it appears to be a promising non-stimulatory fat loss agent but requires time to work (5-16 weeks).

It also possesses other health benefits, such as correcting abnormalities in glucose metabolism in muscle tissue which can help diabetics and might reduce cholesterol levels and triglycerides by currently unverified mechanisms. Reductions in blood pressure and reductions in both liver fat stores and liver enzyme values have been noted with fucoxanthin supplementation in humans. Fucoxanthin, although usage as a supplement is preliminary, appears to be a very promising joint fat loss and health boosting agent.

Fucoxanthin does not appear to induce fat loss acutely, but may take up to 5-16 weeks of 5mg or more in order for fat burning effects to occur. This is probably due to saturating fat mass with fucoxanthin. It may be sufficient to consume dietary seaweed to reach optimal levels of fucoxanthin intake. Fucoxanthin appears to require dietary fat for its absorption from the gut, similar to Vitamin A.

How to take:

A daily dosage of 2.4-8mg fucoxanthin has shown benefit in some human studies over a prolonged period of time, and while within this range the benefits are dose-dependent higher doses have not been tested sufficiently.

If buying a seaweed standardized for fucoxanthin, look for the extract percentage and then backtrack. Buying an undaria pinnafitida supplement that is 1% fucoxanthin by weight would require 240-800mg of the supplement to get 2.4-8mg fucoxanthin.

References:

1，Maeda, H; Hosokawa, M; Sashima, T; Funayama, K; Miyashita, K (2005). "Fucoxanthin from edible seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida, shows antiobesity effect through UCP1 expression in white adipose tissues". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 332 (2): 392–7. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.05.002. PMID 15896707.

2，Abidov, M.; Ramazanov, Z.; Seifulla, R.; Grachev, S. (2010). "The effects of Xanthigen in the weight management of obese premenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal liver fat". Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 12: 72. doi:10.1111/j.1463-1326.2009.01132.x.

3， {{Lee, Jin-Ching, Ming-Feng Hou, Hurng-Wern Huang, Fang-Rong Chang, Chi-Chen Yeh, Jen Yang Tang, and Hsueh-Wei Chang. “Marine Algal Natural Products with Anti-oxidative, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-cancer Properties.” Cancer Cell International 13 (2013): n. pag. Scopus. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.}}

4，{{Rengarajan, Thamaraiselvan, Peramaiyan Rajendran, Natarajan Nandakumar, Maruthaiveeran P.Balasubramanian, and Ikuo Nishigaki. “Cancer Preventive Efficacy of Marine Carotenoid Fucoxanthin: Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis.” Nutrients 5.12 (2013): 4978-989. Scopus. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.}}

5,  {{Chung, Tae-Wook, Hee-Jung Choi, Ji-Yeon Lee, Han-Sol Jeong, Cheorl-Ho Kim, Myungsoo Joo, Jun-Yong Choi, Chang-Woo Han, So-Yeon Kim, Jae-Sue Choi, and Ki-Tae Ha. “Marine Algal Fucoxanthin Inhibits the Metastatic Potential of Cancer Cells.” Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 439.4 (2013): 580-85. Scopus. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.}} 

HPLC of Fucoxanthin

HNMR of Fucoxanthin

HNMR of Fucoxanthin

Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃

Introduction/Overview

Fucoxanthin (CAS number: 3351-86-8) is a natural carotenoid widely found in brown algae and seaweed, and is an important member of marine carotenoids. Its unique structure endows it with remarkable biological activity, showing broad potential especially in research on the prevention and treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, inflammation, oxidative stress, and various cancers. In recent years, as the incidence of metabolic diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases continues to rise globally, fucoxanthin has become a research hotspot in the field of natural product pharmacology due to its oral activity and multi-target regulatory effects. This paper aims to systematically review the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of fucoxanthin, plant origin and extraction methods, pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, druggability evaluation, and clinical application prospects, providing theoretical basis and research directions for its drug development and clinical translation.

Chemical structure and physicochemical properties

Fucoxanthin is a typical all-trans carotenoid with a molecular formula of C42H58O6 and a molecular weight of 658.92. Its structural features include multiple conjugated double bonds, epoxy groups, and aldehyde groups, which give it strong antioxidant capacity. Fucoxanthin has a LogP value as high as 7.7562, indicating high hydrophobicity and extremely low water solubility (0.0008), which poses challenges for its absorption and bioavailability in vivo. Its topological polar surface area (TPSA) is 96.36, indicating that the molecule has certain polar groups, which is favorable for binding to biological macromolecules. Fucoxanthin can cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting its potential value in central nervous system diseases. In vitro hERG channel inhibition tests showed no significant cardiotoxicity, while Ames tests showed zero, indicating no mutagenicity and good safety.

Plant Origins and Extraction Methods

Fucoxanthin is mainly found in the phylum Phaeophyceae, such as kelp (Laminaria japonica), wakame (Undaria pinnatifida), and giant algae (Fucus vesiculosus). Its content varies depending on the species, growing environment, and harvesting season. Traditional extraction methods mostly use organic solvents (such as ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate) for extraction combined with ultrasonic-assisted extraction or Soxhlet extraction to improve extraction efficiency. In recent years, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technology has become a research hotspot for fucoxanthin extraction due to its green and environmentally friendly nature, strong selectivity, and lack of solvent residue. In addition, membrane separation and chromatographic purification technologies are widely used during the purification stage to obtain high-purity fucoxanthin products. Optimization of extraction processes not only increases yield but also ensures the stability and biological activity of fucoxanthin.

Pharmacological activity research

Anti-obesity effects

Fucoxanthin significantly inhibits fat cell differentiation and fat accumulation by regulating lipid metabolism-related genes and signaling pathways. Its targets include PPARG, SREBF1, FASN, LEPR, ADRB3, UCP1, FABP4, LEP, ADIPOQ, and POMC. Fucoxanthin can activate the non-trembling thermogenesis protein UCP1 in adipose tissue, promote energy expenditure, enhance fat oxidation, reduce fat accumulation, and demonstrate good anti-obesity effects. Animal experiments have shown that oral administration of fucoxanthin significantly reduces weight gain and adipose tissue weight induced by a high-fat diet, and improves dyslipidemia.

Antidiabetic effects

In the type 2 diabetes model, fucoxanthin enhances cellular energy metabolism by activating the AMPK signaling pathway (PRKAA1, AMPK), promoting glucose uptake and utilization. At the same time, fucoxanthin regulates key targets such as glucokinase (GCK) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPN1), improving insulin resistance and glycemic homeostasis. Its anti-diabetes mechanism also involves antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, reducing damage to pancreatic β cells and enhancing insulin secretion.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Fucoxanthin regulates various inflammation-related signaling pathways, suppresses the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, and activates inflammatory cells. Its targets include TLR4, PTPN1, STAT3, ALOX15, PRKCA, ALOX5, NFE2L2, CASP1, PIK3CG, and TRPV1. Fucoxanthin can inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and signal transduction and transcription activator factor 3 (STAT3), reducing the production of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL-6, thereby alleviating inflammatory responses. Multiple in vivo and in vitro studies have confirmed its potential in the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Antioxidant effects

Fucoxanthin has a powerful free radical scavenging ability and can activate the NFE2L2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, inducing the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes such as NQO1, SOD1, SOD2, CAT, and GPX1, thereby enhancing the cell's antioxidant defense system. Its protective effects against oxidative stress-related diseases (such as neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases) have been validated in multiple models. Fucoxanthin can also inhibit xanthine oxidase (XDH) activity, reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decrease cellular damage.

Anti-cancer effects

Fucoxanthin regulates tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion through multiple targets and pathways. Its targets include BCL2, NOTCH1, PTPN1, STAT3, PRKCA, TOP1, TOP2A, MAPK1, NOS2, and PPARG. Fucoxanthin can induce tumor cell apoptosis, inhibit tumor-related signaling pathways such as STAT3 and MAPK, block tumor cell cycle progression, and suppress angiogenesis and metastasis. Multiple in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that fucoxanthin exhibits significant antitumor activity in various cancer models including breast, colorectal, and liver cancer.

Mechanism of action and molecular targets

The pharmacological basis of fucoxanthin lies in its ability to regulate multiple key molecular targets. Its main mechanisms of action include:

1. Energy metabolism regulation: By activating the AMPK signaling pathway, it promotes fatty acid oxidation and glucose metabolism, improving metabolic disorders.
2. Inhibition of anti-inflammatory signals: suppresses TLR4-mediated inflammatory responses, reduces NF-κB and STAT3 activity, and decreases the release of pro-inflammatory factors.
3. Antioxidant Defense Activation: Activates the Nrf2 pathway, enhances the intracellular antioxidant enzyme system, and reduces oxidative damage.
4. Regulation of apoptosis and proliferation: regulates the expression of BCL2 family proteins, induces tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibits cyclin and topoisomerase activity.
5. Regulation of lipid metabolism genes: downregulate genes related to fat synthesis (such as FASN, SREBF1) and upregulate genes related to fat breakdown and thermogenesis (such as UCP1, ADIPOQ).

These multi-target, multi-pathway synergistic effects enable fucoxanthin to demonstrate broad therapeutic potential across various disease models.

Druggability evaluation and pharmacokinetics

The high hydrophobicity (LogP 7.7562) and extremely low water solubility (0.0008) of fucoxanthin limit its oral bioavailability, making it a major bottleneck for clinical application. Nevertheless, its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier suggests its potential applications in neurological diseases. In vitro safety evaluations showed no inhibitory or mutagenic risks of hERG channels, indicating good safety. Pharmacokinetic studies show that fucoxanthin metabolizes rapidly in the body, mainly through the liver metabolic enzyme system, and its metabolites have certain biological activity. To improve bioavailability, the development of novel drug delivery systems such as nanocarriers, liposome encapsulations, solid dispersions, and compound formulations has become research hotspots.

Prospects and outlooks for clinical applications

With its multi-target and multifunctional bioactivity, fucoxanthin has broad clinical application prospects. Currently, fucoxlavin has entered some clinical trial stages as an adjunct therapy for obesity and metabolic syndrome, demonstrating good safety and preliminary efficacy. In the future, with optimization of extraction and purification technologies and delivery systems, fucoxanthin is expected to play a greater role in the treatment of diabetes, chronic inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumors. Moreover, fucoxanthin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it a potential natural medicine for preventing aging and related chronic diseases. Multicenter, large-sample clinical trials and mechanistic studies will further promote its clinical translation.

Conclusion

Fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid with abundant sources and diverse bioactivity, has demonstrated significant pharmacological effects in multiple fields including anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects. Its multi-target mechanism offers new ideas for the comprehensive treatment of complex diseases. However, the high hydrophobicity and low bioavailability of fucoxanthin limit its clinical application, and there is an urgent need to improve its in vivo stability and absorption efficiency through pharmacological methods. In the future, combining modern molecular biology technologies and innovations in drug delivery systems, fucoxanthin is expected to become an important candidate in the field of natural product pharmacology, promoting the transformation of natural products into clinical drugs.