The effect of natural Astaxanthin on the prevention and treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)

Phaffia rhodozyma contains the carotenoid astaxanthin, which has strong antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, the Effects of astaxanthin produced by Phaffia rhodozyma on multiple sclerosis (MS) model of mice were investigated.Mice model of MS or experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was developed using MOG35-55 peptide in female C57BL/6 mice.Four groups were considered for this study: normal control group mice, EAE group, prevention group mice that received astaxanthin a week before immunization and treatment group that received astaxanthin after immunization at the time of first sign of EAE. Each group consisted of 7 mice. Astaxanthin consumption up to 35 days after immunization continued. Each day 400 mg of Phaffia rhodozyma astaxanthin was consumed in this way, the daily consumption pellet was mixed with this amount of astaxanthin. Daily clinical signs and mean body weight were monitored then proliferation was measured by MTT assay; IL23 level (proinflammatory cytokines) and IL4 level (anti-inflammatory cytokine) were measured by ELISA. Observations showed that the mean disease severity in all experimental groups was significantly reduced compared to the EAE group and the mean body weight in the experimental groups had a significant increase compared to the EAE group (P<0.001). Also, Astaxanthin administration significantly reduced the level of inflammatory cytokine, IL23 and increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL4 in both experimental groups (P<0.001). The results of MTT test also show a decrease in Proliferation index (The rate of proliferation of immune cells) in both prevention and treatment groups. P<0.001