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Antioxidant and Pro-oxidant Activities of Carotenoids

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Plant Antioxidants and Health

Part of the book series: Reference Series in Phytochemistry ((RSP))

Abstract

Carotenoids are plant pigments widely spread in nature, especially in fruits and vegetables. These compounds have been subject of scientific research due to their several biological activities. Attention has been devoted to their role as antioxidants and/or pro-oxidants. If in one hand carotenoids are postulated to reduce the risk and prevent the development of several diseases associated with oxidative stress, including cancer, cardiovascular, and chronic diseases. On the other hand, due to their potential pro-oxidant action, carotenoids may enhance harmful effects and oxidative damage to biomolecules, like DNA, proteins, and membranes. This chapter provides a general overview of carotenoids and their mechanisms of action, both as anti- and/or pro-oxidants, as evaluated in in vitro non-cellular and cellular models as well as in in vivo systems.

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Abbreviations

ABTS•+:

2,2′-Azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)

APPH:

2,2′-Azobis (2-methylpropionamidine)dihydrochloride

BCMO1:

β-Carotene-15,15′-monooxygenase

BCO2:

β-Carotene-9′,10′-oxigenase 2

CD36:

Cluster determinant 36

DCFH-DA:

2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate

DHR 123:

Dihydrorhodamine 123

DPPH:

2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl

FRAP:

Ferric reducing antioxidant power

GPx:

Glutathione peroxidase

GSH:

Glutathione

GST:

Glutathione S-transferase

IDL:

Intermediate-density lipoprotein

LDL:

Low-density lipoprotein

MDA :

Malondialdehyde

ORAC:

Oxygen-radical absorbance capacity

ORAC-L:

Oxygen radical absorbing capacity for lipophilic compounds

PCL:

Photochemiluminescence

RNS:

Reactive nitrogen species

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SCARB1:

Scavenger receptor class B member 1

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

VLDL:

Very low-density lipoprotein

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Acknowledgments

This work received financial support from PT national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) through grant UIDB/50006/2020 (LAQV-REQUIMTE Associate Laboratory) and from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029253). Marisa Freitas acknowledges the financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029248).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Mariana Lucas, Marisa Freitas, Eduarda Fernandes & Daniela Ribeiro

  2. UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Félix Carvalho

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  1. Mariana Lucas
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  2. Marisa Freitas
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  3. Félix Carvalho
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  4. Eduarda Fernandes
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  5. Daniela Ribeiro
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Correspondence to Eduarda Fernandes or Daniela Ribeiro .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland

    Halina Maria Ekiert

  2. Department of Botany, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India

    Kishan Gopal Ramawat

  3. Department of Botany, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India

    Jaya Arora

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  1. Department of Botany, University College of Science, M. L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India

    K. G. Ramawat

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Lucas, M., Freitas, M., Carvalho, F., Fernandes, E., Ribeiro, D. (2021). Antioxidant and Pro-oxidant Activities of Carotenoids. In: Ekiert, H.M., Ramawat, K.G., Arora, J. (eds) Plant Antioxidants and Health. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45299-5_4-1

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