Fucoxanthin 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

• Fucoxanthin dose-dependently protects placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by reducing pro-apoptotic protein expression and increasing anti-apoptotic protein levels. • Transcriptomic analysis reveals that fucoxanthin modulates key pathways including DNA damage repair, ER stress response, p53-induced apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and PI3K/mTOR and AMPK signaling. • The study provides mechanistic evidence supporting fucoxanthin as a potential adjunct to improve the viability and therapeutic efficacy of MSC-based regenerative therapies. • Findings highlight the importance of oxidative stress mitigation in enhancing MSC survival for clinical applications.