Abstract

The marine ecosystem is considered a potentially mysterious reservoir of biodiversity consisting of a broad spectrum of bioactive constituents, whose potential is still under research for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid, can be found in the brown seaweeds and is recognized to show promising and exclusive biological activities. Subsequent consumption and absorption of fucoxanthin leads to its accumulation in the white adipose tissue and helps to depict anti-obesity effects via upregulation of thermogenesis through uncoupling protein 1 expression and mitochondrial activation. Linking with anti-obesity, fucoxanthin shows antidiabetic potential by insulin resistance signalling pathways. Fucoxanthin is also reported to control carcinogenesis via regulating several biomolecules and signalling pathways which are intermittently linked with either apoptosis or cell cycle arrest or suppression of metastasis. In addition, it can act as a potential antioxidant by scavenging toxic free radicals and also aid in the treatment of neurodegenerative, hepatic and cardiovascular dysfunctions. Fucoxanthin has a profound role in the cosmetic industry for its mosquito repellent activity and protective effects on the blood vessels, skin and bones. Therefore, the current review provides the recent available scientific literature on Fucoxanthin regarding its health-promoting effects, modulating mechanism and future potential to use it as a commercially viable drug in nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications.