Issue 15, 2025

Comparison of four characteristic carotenoids (lutein, β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin) in alleviating DSS-induced colitis through gut microbiota regulation

Abstract

Carotenoids, particularly lutein, β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin, possess established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Although these compounds are known to interact with the gut microbiota and ameliorate microbial dysbiosis, their structure–activity relationships in colitis alleviation remain poorly understood. Using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model, we made a systematic comparison of these four structurally distinct carotenoids. All treatments markedly improved colitis-associated clinical symptoms, including weight loss, colon shortening, bloody stool, and histological damage. Notably, the fecal heme content decreased by 55.00%, 69.44%, 60.22%, and 62.24% in the lutein, β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin groups by the endpoint of DSS exposure, respectively. The intervention with carotenoids significantly reduced pro-inflammatory markers while upregulating intestinal tight junction proteins and short-chain fatty acid receptor expression. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed consistent suppression of Bilophila and Mucispirillum across all groups, with structure-dependent microbiota modulation: lutein enriched Rikenellaceae, β-carotene enhanced Bifidobacteriaceae, lycopene preferentially increased Lactobacillaceae, and astaxanthin elevated Akkermansiaceae (in terms of relative abundance). These findings demonstrate that carotenoids alleviate ulcerative colitis through combined anti-inflammatory, barrier-protective, and microbiota-modulating effects, with carotenes exhibiting superior microbiota modulation compared to xanthophylls.

Graphical abstract: Comparison of four characteristic carotenoids (lutein, β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin) in alleviating DSS-induced colitis through gut microbiota regulation

Transparent peer review

To support increased transparency, we offer authors the option to publish the peer review history alongside their article.

View this article’s peer review history

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Feb 2025
Accepted
05 Jun 2025
First published
09 Jun 2025

Food Funct., 2025,16, 6101-6114

Comparison of four characteristic carotenoids (lutein, β-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin) in alleviating DSS-induced colitis through gut microbiota regulation

Y. Dong, Q. Ni, Z. Zhang, Z. Yu, L. Feng, Y. Xu, Y. Lian, C. Zhou, D. Li and Z. Dai, Food Funct., 2025, 16, 6101 DOI: 10.1039/D5FO00789E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements