Research
Zeaxanthin
24 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Long-term Outcomes of Adding Lutein/Zeaxanthin and ω-3 Fatty Acids to the AREDS Supplements on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression: AREDS2 Report 28.
Long-term follow-up study of the AREDS2 trial assessing the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression and lung cancer risk. Lutein/zeaxanthin was associated with a reduced risk of late AMD progression compared to beta carotene, which nearly doubled lung cancer risk.
Macular pigment optical density responses to different levels of zeaxanthin in patients with high myopia.
A 3-month clinical trial with 54 high myopia patients assessed the effects of zeaxanthin supplementation from Lycium barbarum on macular pigment optical density (MPOD). The high-dose zeaxanthin group showed significantly higher MPOD compared to the high-dose lutein group, indicating zeaxanthin's benefit in preventing macular pigment loss.
Night Vision and Carotenoids (NVC): A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial on Effects of Carotenoid Supplementation on Night Vision in Older Adults.
A randomized, double-blind, six-month trial evaluated the effects of a 14 mg zeaxanthin/7 mg lutein-based supplement on night vision and useful field of view (UFOV) in older adults. The supplemented group showed significant improvements in macular pigment optical density, contrast sensitivity, glare recovery time, and UFOV scores, while the placebo group remained unchanged.
The Impact of Supplemental Antioxidants on Visual Function in Nonadvanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Head-to-Head Randomized Clinical Trial.
RCT evaluating the impact of supplemental macular carotenoids, including meso-zeaxanthin, on visual function in patients with nonadvanced age-related macular degeneration. Significant improvements in contrast sensitivity and other visual function measures were observed, with comparable results between interventions.
The impact of supplemental macular carotenoids in Alzheimer's disease: a randomized clinical trial.
Randomized clinical trial investigating supplementation with macular carotenoids (meso-zeaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin) in Alzheimer's disease patients and controls. The study found significant improvements in serum concentrations of the carotenoids, macular pigment, and contrast sensitivity, but no significant changes in cognitive function.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on neural processing speed and efficiency.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on visual processing speed in young healthy subjects. Supplementation with zeaxanthin and a mixed formulation significantly increased critical flicker fusion thresholds and visual motor reaction time compared to placebo.
Supplementation with three different macular carotenoid formulations in patients with early age-related macular degeneration.
RCT investigating the impact of three macular carotenoid formulations on macular pigment optical density and visual performance in 52 subjects with early age-related macular degeneration. Significant increases in macular pigment optical density and improvements in contrast sensitivity were observed, particularly with formulations containing high doses of meso-zeaxanthin.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zeaxanthin and visual function in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF) FDA IND #78, 973.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of zeaxanthin supplementation on visual function in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration. The study found that zeaxanthin increased macula pigment optical density and improved foveal cone-based visual parameters, while lutein enhanced rod-based vision parameters. The combination of zeaxanthin and lutein was less effective in raising MPOD.
Alleviating damage of photosystem and oxidative stress from chilling stress with exogenous zeaxanthin in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings.
The study investigated the effects of exogenous zeaxanthin on chilling stress tolerance in pepper seedlings. Zeaxanthin pretreatment alleviated chilling damage, increased fresh weight and photosynthetic pigment content, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced oxidative stress markers. It also upregulated key genes involved in zeaxanthin metabolism, improving the photosystem response to chilling stress.
The generation of metabolic changes for the production of high-purity zeaxanthin mediated by CRISPR-Cas9 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
The study used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to create a double knockout mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, resulting in a 60% higher yield and content of zeaxanthin compared to the parental line. Medium optimization further improved zeaxanthin yield, presenting a solution for producing high-purity zeaxanthin for industrial applications.
β-Cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin are highly bioavailable from whole-grain and refined biofortified orange maize in humans with optimal vitamin A status: a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial.
This randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial assessed the bioavailability of beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin from biofortified orange maize in 9 adults. The study found that both beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin were highly bioavailable from the biofortified maize compared to white maize, suggesting potential nutritional benefits.
Effect of aggregation form on bioavailability of zeaxanthin in humans: a randomised cross-over study.
A randomised cross-over study with 16 participants compared the bioavailability of H-aggregated and J-aggregated forms of zeaxanthin. The J-aggregated formulation showed 23% higher bioavailability than the H-aggregated form, although the difference was only marginally significant. In vitro digestion results were consistent with in vivo findings, but micellization rates contradicted the bioavailability results.
Zeaxanthin-based dietary supplement and topical serum improve hydration and reduce wrinkle count in female subjects.
RCT with 31 female subjects testing a zeaxanthin-based dietary supplement and topical serum. The study found significant improvements in skin hydration and reductions in wrinkle count and severity compared to placebo. The combination of oral and topical treatments showed superior effects on facial lines and wrinkles.
Zeaxanthin is bioavailable from genetically modified zeaxanthin-rich potatoes.
This randomized, controlled double-blinded, crossover pilot study investigated the bioavailability of zeaxanthin from genetically modified zeaxanthin-rich potatoes in humans. Three men consumed mashed potatoes with either genetically modified or wild-type control potatoes. Zeaxanthin concentrations in chylomicrons significantly increased after consuming genetically modified potatoes, suggesting these potatoes could be an important dietary source of zeaxanthin.
Enhanced bioavailability of zeaxanthin in a milk-based formulation of wolfberry (Gou Qi Zi; Fructus barbarum L.).
The study investigated the bioavailability of zeaxanthin from wolfberry in different formulations. A cross-over trial with 12 healthy subjects showed that zeaxanthin bioavailability was significantly higher from a hot milk formulation compared to warm milk and hot water formulations.
Plasma kinetics of zeaxanthin and 3'-dehydro-lutein after multiple oral doses of synthetic zeaxanthin.
RCT investigating plasma kinetics of synthetic zeaxanthin in 20 healthy volunteers receiving 1 mg or 10 mg doses daily for 42 days. Plasma zeaxanthin concentrations increased significantly, with evidence that all-E-3-dehydro-lutein is formed from zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin was well tolerated.
Comparison of plasma responses in human subjects after the ingestion of 3R,3R'-zeaxanthin dipalmitate from wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) and non-esterified 3R,3R'-zeaxanthin using chiral high-performance liquid chromatography.
Randomised, single-blind cross-over study assessing plasma concentrations of 3R,3R'-zeaxanthin after ingestion of esterified and non-esterified forms in 12 volunteers. Plasma concentrations increased significantly, with enhanced bioavailability of 3R,3R'-zeaxanthin dipalmitate compared to the non-esterified form.
Metabolic Engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for Zeaxanthin Production.
The study focuses on the metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for the production of zeaxanthin, a carotenoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. By modifying the carotenoid pathway and introducing heterologous genes, the production of zeaxanthin was significantly increased in engineered strains.
Metabolic Engineering of Non-carotenoid-Producing Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica for the Biosynthesis of Zeaxanthin
The study focuses on genetically engineering the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to produce zeaxanthin, a carotenoid important for human health. By introducing specific genes, the researchers achieved a significant increase in zeaxanthin production, demonstrating the potential of using this yeast as a cell factory for carotenoid biosynthesis.
Nanoencapsulation of zeaxanthin extracted from Lycium barbarum L. by complex coacervation with gelatin and CMC
The study developed nanocapsules using complex coacervation between gelatin and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for encapsulating zeaxanthin extracted from Lycium barbarum L. It investigated the morphology, particle size distribution, thermal properties, and in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion of zeaxanthin nanocapsules, showing enhanced thermal stability and sustained release performance.
Zeaxanthin Induces Apoptosis via ROS-Regulated MAPK and AKT Signaling Pathway in Human Gastric Cancer Cells
The study investigates the anti-cancer mechanisms of zeaxanthin in human gastric cancer cells. Zeaxanthin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via ROS-mediated MAPK, AKT, NF-κB, and STAT3 signaling pathways, showing cytotoxic effects on cancer cells but not on normal cells.
Potential roles of dietary zeaxanthin and lutein in macular health and function.
This review summarizes the protective function of macular xanthophylls, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin, in the eye. It discusses their role in macular health, potential benefits for maternal and infant health, and suggests establishing recommended dietary values. Goji berries are introduced as a rich food source of zeaxanthin.
Zeaxanthin exerts protective effects on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats via modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.
The study evaluated the effect of zeaxanthin on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Zeaxanthin significantly reduced disease activity index, wet colon weight, ulcer area, and histological changes, and modulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for ulcerative colitis.
Zeaxanthin: Metabolism, Properties, and Antioxidant Protection of Eyes, Heart, Liver, and Skin
This narrative review discusses the metabolism, bioavailability, and health effects of zeaxanthin, a non-provitamin A carotenoid. It highlights zeaxanthin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and its beneficial effects on eye, skin, liver, and cardiovascular health, drawing on data from human, animal, and in vitro studies.