2. Academic Validation
  3. Astaxanthin suppresses thrombosis by inhibiting both platelet activation and blood coagulation

Astaxanthin suppresses thrombosis by inhibiting both platelet activation and blood coagulation

  • Br J Pharmacol. 2026 Jun;183(11):2890-2912. doi: 10.1111/bph.70363.
Lili Zhang 1 2,  Yadan Luo 1,  Ningwan Lei 1,  Shuai Chen 3,  Keyu Lv 1,  Huiqin Xiang 1,  Zhaoming Tang 4,  Bicheng Li 1,  Xinyue Zheng 1,  Shimei Li 5,  Xue Wang 1,  Mingfeng Li 1,  Hongtao Liu 2,  Banghua Zhang 6,  Jinyu Wang 7,  Xulin Xu 1 2 8 9,  Chao Fang 1 8 9
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
  • 2 Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource and Chinese Herbal Compound of the Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China.
  • 3 Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.
  • 4 Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
  • 5 The Engineering and Technology Research Center on Dermatological Medications, Yichang, China.
  • 6 Jingzhou Natural Astaxanthin Application Research Center, Jingzhou, China.
  • 7 Department of Basic Science of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China.
  • 8 The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
  • 9 Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
PMID: 41702374 DOI: 10.1111/bph.70363
Abstract

Background and purpose: Thrombosis, the leading cause of death worldwide, involves both platelet activation and coagulation reaction. Astaxanthin (ASX) is a carotenoid with potent antioxidant activity and beneficial effects to the cardiovascular system. This study aims to systematically elucidate the antithrombotic potential of ASX and the underlying mechanisms.

Experimental approach: Rats and mice were treated with ASX by gavage to examine the in vivo effects of ASX. Human platelets and liver cells were directly treated with ASX to evaluate its in vitro effects. Network pharmacology and immunoblotting were performed to analyse the targets of ASX. Thrombus components including platelets and fibrin were visualized by specific fluorescent antibodies using intravital microscopy.

Key results: ASX treatment led to attenuated platelet aggregation, adhesion, spreading, clot retraction and reduced Integrin activation and granule secretion. ASX inhibited Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, and its downstream signalling pathways PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK during platelet activation. ASX suppressed blood coagulation, both extrinsic and intrinsic, by interfering with hepatic transcription of coagulation factors through reducing hepatic ROS and ROS-responsive hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α). Treatment with ASX in human platelets and liver cells recapitulated the observations in Animals. ASX and aspirin comparably inhibited FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis and stenosis-induced venous thrombosis. However, unlike aspirin which targets only platelets, ASX inhibited both platelets and fibrin in the cremaster thrombosis model without causing excessive bleeding.

Conclusion and implications: ASX exhibits multiple antithrombotic effects by suppressing platelet- and hepatic-ROS and the downstream responsive pathways. ASX represents a novel strategy for thrombosis prevention.

Keywords

astaxanthin; coagulation; platelets; thrombus formation.

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