Bixin

Bixin is an apocarotenoid that has been found in B. orellana and has diverse biological activities.¹ It is the principal compound in the color additive annatto.² Bixin inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 breast, HeLa cervical, and A549 lung cancer cells (IC₅₀s = 14.38, 43.87, and 259.38 µM, respectively). Bixin (10 mg/kg per day) increases glutathione (GSH) levels and reduces mercury-induced DNA damage in rat hepatocytes and leukocytes.³ It induces nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcriptional activity in a reporter assay and increases levels of GSH and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM).⁴ It reduces cutaneous photodamage from solar UV exposure in mice in a Nrf2-dependent manner when administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg.

WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

1. Bouvier, F., Dogbo, O., and Camara, B. Biosynthesis of the food and cosmetic plant pigment bixin (annatto). Science 300(5628), 2089-2091 (3003).

2. Kusmita, L., Franyoto, Y.D., Mutmainah, M., et al. Bixa orellana L. carotenoids: antiproliferative activity on human lung cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer cells in vitro. Natural Product Research 36(24), 6421-6427 (2022).

3. Barcelos, G.R.M., Grotto, D., Serpeloni, J.M., et al. Bixin and norbixin protect against DNA-damage and alterations of redox status induced by methylmercury exposure in vivo. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 53(7), 535-541 (2012).

4. Tao, S., Park, S.L., de la Vega, M.R., et al. Systemic administration of the apocarotenoid bixin protects skin against solar UV-induced damage through activation of NRF2. Free Rad. Biol. Med. 89, 690-700 (2015).