Pigments

Curcumin (Diferuloylmethane), a natural phenolic compound, is a p300/CREB-binding protein-specific inhibitor of acetyltransferase, represses the acetylation of histone/nonhistone proteins and histone acetyltransferase-dependent chromatin transcription. Curcumin is a photosensitizer against microorganisms. Curcumin shows inhibitory effects on NF-κB and MAPKs, and has diverse pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities. Curcumin induces stabilization of Nrf2 protein through Keap1 cysteine modification.

Astaxanthin, the red dietary carotenoid, is an orally effective and potent antioxidant. Astaxanthin inhibits NF-κB and down-regulates VEGF in blood glucose. Astaxanthin exerts anti-cancer cell proliferation, increases apoptosis, impairs migration and invasion by activating PPARγ and reducing the expression of STAT3. Astaxanthin also has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity and can be used in studies of cancer, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, and in the coloring of animal feed.

Lycopene is naturally occurring carotenoids found in tomato, tomato products, and in other red fruits and vegetables; exhibits antioxidant effects.

Lutein (Xanthophyll) is a carotenoid with reported anti-inflammatory properties. A large body of evidence shows that lutein has several beneficial effects, especially on eye health. Lutein exerts its biological activities, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidase and anti-apoptosis, through effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS). Lutein is able to arrive in the brain and shows antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects. Lutein is orally active.

Fucoxanthin (all-trans-Fucoxanthin) is a marine carotenoid and shows anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities.

Peridinin is a hydroxylated carotenoid ketone that exhibits inhibitory activity against DENV NS2B/NS3 protease and all dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4). Peridinin inhibits dengue virus production and reduces viral titers. Peridinin is applicable to research related to dengue virus infection.

β-Carotene (Provitamin A), a carotenoid compound, is a naturally-occurring vitamin A precursor. β-Carotene is a modulator of reactive oxygen species (ROS), with antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. β-Carotene may serve as an antioxidant or as a prooxidant, depending on its intrinsic properties as well as on the redox potential of the biological environment in which it acts. β-Carotene induces breast cancer cells apoptosis, with anticancer activities.

Zeaxanthin, a diet-obtained carotenoid, presents in the macula region of the eye. Zeaxanthin shows antioxidant effects.

Prodigiosin (Prodigiosine) is a red pigment produced by bacteria as a bioactive secondary metabolite. Prodigiosin is a potent inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Prodigiosin has antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, immunosuppressive, and anticancer properties.

Canthaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid with various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor properties.

Bixin is an orally active carotenoid found in the seeds of Bixa orellana. Bixin induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Bixin possessing anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities. Bixin treatment ameliorated cardiac dysfunction through inhibiting fibrosis, inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

α-Carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, is used as an anti-metastatic agent or as an adjuvant for anti-cancer agents. α-Carotene is isolated from yellow-orange and dark-green vegetables.

Cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside is a p38 MAPK phosphorylation inhibitor. Cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside reduces the expression of VDAC1, inhibits mtROS accumulation, reverses cellular senescence, blocks excessive mitochondrial calcium influx, reduces the formation of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes, and suppresses the VDAC1-IP3R1 interaction. Cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside activates hair follicle stem cell proliferation and improves the condition of slowed hair growth. Cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside is applicable to research related to colon cancer and androgenetic alopecia.

Hypocrellin B, a pigment isolated from the fungi Hypocrella bambusae and Shiraia bambusicola, is an apoptosis inducer. Hypocrellin B can be used as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of cancer. Hypocrellin B also has antimicrobial and antileishmanial activities.

Carminic acid is a widely used and orally active natural red pigment that can be used in industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, carminic acid has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Monascin is a kind of azaphilonoid pigments extracted from Monascus pilosus-fermented rice (red-mold rice). Monascin also exhibits anti-tumor-initiating activity and anti-inflammatory activity with oral administration. Monascin inhibits the activation of NOR 1 (an NO donor). Monascin is a Nrf2 activator and PPARγ agonist.

Crocin IV (Dicrocin), a crocetin glycoside, is a carotenoid pigment. Crocin IV has potent antioxidant activity.

Peonidin (YGM-6) chloride is an anthocyanin compound found in plants such as grapes and purple-fleshed sweet potatoes. Peonidin chloride alone exerts no stable inhibitory effect on LPS (HY-D1056)-mediated inflammatory gene expression. The acylated form of Peonidin chloride exhibits antimutagenic activity.

Rubropunctamine is a redMonascus pigment. Not only Rubropunctamine exerts antibiotic action against bacteria but also against some yeast and filamentous fungi strains. Rubropunctamine has potential embryotoxicity and teratogenicity.

Brazilein is a compound with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities, with an IC₅₀ of 500 μM against guinea pig Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Brazilein reduces iNOS mRNA expression, thereby inhibiting nitric oxide production in immune cells. Brazilein suppresses inflammatory responses by reducing the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6, but has no effect on IL-1β expression. Brazilein reduces the cerebral infarction volume and improves the neurological function scores of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Brazilein induces apoptosis of splenic lymphocytes in mice. Brazilein inhibits humoral immune responses in mice, and causes thymus and spleen atrophy as well as body weight loss in mice. Brazilein also possesses antimalarial and antibacterial activities. Brazilein is also a red dye. Brazilein can be used in studies related to the infection, nervous system, cardiovascular system and inflammatory diseases.