The present invention relates to a novel use of xanthophylls, particularly astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof, for inhibiting tumor cell growth. Therefore, the present invention provides a method for preventing or treating cancers, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one type of xanthophyll.

Lu; Chuen Wei

Use of xanthophylls for the treatment of cancers

Methods for treatment of tumours with ultramicroemulsions from spontaneously dispersible concentrates containing xanthophyll esters, and new esters with xanthophyll compounds and processes for their production are provided.

Marigen S.A.

Ultramicroemulsions from spontaneously dispersible concentrates containing xanthophyll esters and having antitumor activity

The invention disclosed in this application relates to a process for the preparation of xanthophyll crystals containing at least 85% total xanthophylls with at least 90% trans-lutein and/or zeaxanthin, trace amounts of cis-lutein and other carotenoids which comprises admixing and heating xanthophyll ester concentrate using excess alcoholic alkali solution, maintaining the resulting mixture at a temperature in the range of 65.degree.C. to about 80.degree C., for a period sufficient to saponify the xanthophyll esters; removing the aliphatic alcohol from the mixture under reduced pressure to get saponified crude concentrate; admixing the saponified crude concentrate obtained with water at room temperature to form a diluted oily mixture; extracting the diluted oily mixture obtained with ethyl acetate to get xanthophyll extract which is processed by conventional methods to get xanthophyll crystals containing high amounts of trans-lutein and/or zeaxanthin along with trace amounts of cis-lutein and other carotenoids. The xanthophyll crystals prepared by the process of the present invention are useful as antioxidant, prevention of cataract and macular degeneration, lung cancer preventive agent, as agents for the absorption of harmful ultra-violet light from sun rays and quencher of photo-induced free radical and reactive oxygen species.

xanthophyll/cancro

Use of xanthophylls for the treatment of cancers

Ultramicroemulsions from spontaneously dispersible concentrates containing xanthophyll esters and having antitumor activity

Process for the preparation of xanthophyll crystals

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