Positive Health Online

Abstract

CHEW and colleagues, Department Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6320 USA. boonchew@wsu.edu studied, in mice, the anticancer activities of beta-carotene, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin against the growth of breast tumours .

Background

Methodology

Mice, inoculated with WAZ-2T tumour cells, were fed a synthetic diet containing 0, 0.2 or 0.4% beta-carotene, astaxanthin or canthaxanthin.

Results

there were no detectable carotenoids in the plasma or tumour tissues of unsupplemented mice. The concentrations of plasma astoxanthin were greater than beta-carotene and canthaxanthin. However, in tumour tissues, the concentration of canthaxanthin was higher than that of beta-carotene and astaxanthin. Generally, all three carotenoids decreased breast tumour volume. Breast tumour growth inhibition by astaxanthin was dose-dependent and was higher than from canthaxanthin and beta-carotene. Those mice fed 0.4% beta-carotene or canthaxanthin did not demonstrate further increased tumour growth inhibition compared to those given 0.1% of each carotenoid. The lipid peroxidation activity in tumours was lower in mice fed 0.4% astaxanthin, but not in mice fed beta-carotene and canthaxanthin.

Conclusion

Beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and especially astaxanthin inhibit the growth of breast tumours in mice and also influence the anti-tumour activity .

References

Chew BP et al. A comparison of the anticancer activities of dietary beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin in mice in vivo. Anticancer Research 19(3A): 1849-53. May-Jun 1999.