Astaxanthin: a novel antioxidant for polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial endocrine disorder and the most prevalent gynecological condition among women of reproductive age. Current treatment options primarily focus on managing symptoms and fail to fully prevent long-term complications. Astaxanthin (ASX), a red carotenoid pigment, is known for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-apoptotic properties. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of astaxanthin supplementation in PCOS management. Our team conducted a comprehensive search of relevant databases up to May 2024, including human clinical trials and animal studies investigating astaxanthin’s effects on PCOS. Of the 45 articles retrieved, 8 met the inclusion criteria (4 animal studies and 4 clinical trials). The majority of the studies demonstrated that astaxanthin has a beneficial impact on ovarian histo morphology and follicular development, with notable reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation among patients with PCOS. Although astaxanthin showed improvement in dyslipidemia, it had no significant effect on weight loss. It is suggested that astaxanthin’s therapeutic potential in PCOS is primarily due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties rather than its effects on weight. Thus, astaxanthin may be considered a promising therapeutic agent for alleviating PCOS complications; however, further research is warranted due to the limited availability of high-quality clinical trials.