Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Toxicity and Efficacy of A New Astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis Extract.
Astaxanthin (Ax), a carotenoid ubiquitously distributed in microorganisms, fish, and crustaceans, has been known to be a potent antioxidant and hence exhibit various physiological effects. We attempted in these studies to evaluate clinical toxicity and efficacy of long-term administration of a new Ax product, by measuring biochemical and hematological blood parameters and by analyzing brain function (using CogHealth and P300 measures). Ax-rich Haematococcus pluvialis extracts equivalent to 4, 8, 20 mg of Ax dialcohol were administered to 73, 38, and 16 healthy adult volunteers, respectively, once daily for 4 weeks to evaluate safety. Ten subjects with age-related forgetfulness received an extract equivalent to 12 mg in a daily dosing regimen for 12 weeks to evaluate efficacy. As a result, no abnormality was observed and efficacy for age-related decline in cognitive and psychomotor functions was suggested.
Life Science Institute, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., 3001-10 Kuno, Fukuroi, Shizuoka 437-0061, Japan.
Akira
A
Satoh
Shinji
S
Tsuji
Yumika
Y
Okada
Nagisa
N
Murakami
Maki
M
Urami
Keisuke
K
Nakagawa
Masaharu
M
Ishikura
Mikiyuki
M
Katagiri
Yoshihiko
Y
Koga
Takuji
T
Shirasawa