etabolism. Keywords: astaxanthin; obesity; mitochondria; energy metabolisms; all-natural antioxidant; insulin resistance; AMPKCitation: Nishida, Y.; Nawaz, A.; Hecht, K.; Tobe, K. ErbB3/HER3 Inhibitor drug Astaxanthin as a Novel Mitochondrial Regulator: A new Aspect of Carotenoids, beyond Antioxidants. Nutrients 2022, 14, 107. doi.org/10.3390/ nu14010107 Academic Editor: Toshihiko Yada Received: 22 November 2021 Accepted: 23 December 2021 Published: 27 December 2021 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.1. Introduction 1.1. Hidden Bioactivity of Organic Pigments 1.1.1. Nature Is Full of Splendid Color! When we appear at the all-natural globe about us, we can uncover a biodiversity of colors in each plants and animals. Colors is usually formed when light is absorbed and reflected by pigments and dyes, or when light scatters from micro- and nanostructures to kind structural colors. In nature, most colors are produced by pigments derived from each organic and mineral sources. Main organic pigment sorts incorporate the following: porphyrins, like green chlorophylls and red hemes; flavonoids, which include blue-purple anthocyanins of flowers and fruits; and carotenoids, a big group of yellow, orange, and red pigments discovered in plants, algae, bacteria, and fungi [1]. Also to contributing colour, pigments also have a great wide variety of documented physiological activities [2]. In this assessment, the biological activities of carotenoids, specifically those of astaxanthin (AX), are discussed. In specific, the fascinating effects of AX on mitochondria in the context of physical overall performance, metabolic and aging disorders, and cancer, happen to be addressed. The antioxidant activity of AX is among its most frequently cited mechanisms of action, but more effects of AX on mitochondria have been observed that might not be directly associated with its antioxidant activity. The focus of this review would be to talk about existing proof of AX’s more biological activities, beyond its well-known antioxidant properties. 1.1.2. Carotenoids Most carotenoids are strongly lipophilic, such as -carotene–found abundantly in carrots–and lycopene, which gives tomatoes and watermelons their red colour [1]Copyright: 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This short article is definitely an open access write-up distributed below the terms and conditions from the Inventive Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ( creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ four.0/).Nutrients 2022, 14, 107. doi.org/10.3390/numdpi/journal/nutrients1.1.two. CarotenoidsNutrients 2022, 14,Most carotenoids are strongly lipophilic, CA I Inhibitor Molecular Weight including -carotene–found abundantly in 2 of 39 carrots–and lycopene, which gives tomatoes and watermelons their red color [1] (Figure 1). In animals, many carotenoids, which include -carotene, are generally known as provitamin A carotenoids, because they serve as precursors within the metabolic synthesis of vitamin A and its (Figure 1). In animals, lots of carotenoids, which include -carotene, are known as provitamin derivatives [1]. With few exceptions, such as some arthropods, animals can not synthesize A carotenoids, since they serve as precursors inside the metabolic synthesis of vitamin A carotenoids de novo [6]. For that reason, animals rely on dietary sources for a provide of and its derivatives [1]. With couple of exceptions, like some arthropods, animals can not carotenoids. carotenoids de novo [6]. Consequently, animals depend on dietary sources for synthesizea supply of carotenoids.Fig