biostudies-literatureSuwanmanee GRoyal Golden Jubilee (RGJ) Ph.D. program, National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and the Thailand Research Fund (TRF)Royal Golden Jubilee (RGJ) Ph.D. program, National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and the Thailand Research FundCenter of Excellence in Stem Cell Research and Innovation at Thammasat University.Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityThailand Science Research and Innovation Fundamental Fund for the fiscal year 2024, Thammasat University497https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12465192biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) hold significant promise in regenerative medicine due to their ability to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. However, their therapeutic potential is often compromised by their high susceptibility to apoptosis under oxidative stress, prevalent in the microenvironment of the target tissues. Our previous study showed that fucoxanthin, a carotenoid derived from brown algae, can improve the viability of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) by reducing intracellular ROS levels through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 signaling pathway. In this study, we further investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of fucoxanthin against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in PL-MSCs, using an in vitro model. PL-MSCs were cultStem cell research & therapyFucoxanthin protects placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by modulating genes involved in DNA damage repair, ER stress response, p53-induced apoptosis.PMC12465192TUFF 52/2567Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Research and Innovation at Thammasat University.NRCT5-RGJ63008-098Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityManochantr SMatei IVSuwanmanee GParaoan LKheolamai PGrimes DTantrawatpan CfalseFucoxanthin protects placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by modulating genes involved in DNA damage repair, ER stress response, p53-induced apoptosis.Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) hold significant promise in regenerative medicine due to their ability to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. However, their therapeutic potential is often compromised by their high susceptibility to apoptosis under oxidative stress, prevalent in the microenvironment of the target tissues. Our previous study showed that fucoxanthin, a carotenoid derived from brown algae, can improve the viability of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) by reducing intracellular ROS levels through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 signaling pathway. In this study, we further investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of fucoxanthin against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in PL-MSCs, using an in vitro model. PL-MSCs were cult2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T21:09:20.262Z2026-05-01T03:10:59.118ZS-EPMC124651924099951710.1186/s13287-025-04629-3