Abstract: Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid, reddish-brown in color, which is mainly derived from marine organisms such as brown algae and diatoms, and has aroused extensive scientific interest due to its unique chemical structure and abundant biological activities. Studies have shown that fucoxanthin processes significant anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Its anti-inflammatory mechanisms primarily include inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating inflammatory factors, inducting cell autophagy, and resisting cell apoptosis, etc. The main mechanism of anti-cancer activity includes inducing cell autophagy and apoptosis mechanisms, regulating the cell cycle, inhibiting cell migration, and suppressing cell invasion, among other aspects. In this paper, the research progress of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities and related mechanisms of action of fucoxanthin is briefly summarized, which provides the theoretical basis and reference for further research and development of fucoxanthin.