Immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharides from marine algae for treating cancer, infectious disease, and inflammation

The application of marine polysaccharides to antitumor nanocarriers

Nanotechnology has revolutionized the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of biomedical diseases, in which nanocarriers have greatly improved the targeting and bioavailability of antitumor drugs. The marine natural polysaccharides fucoidan, chitosan, alginate, carrageenan and porphyran have broad-spectrum bioactivities and unique physicochemical properties such as excellent non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and reproducibility, which have placed them as a principal focus in the nanocarrier field. Nanocarriers based on different types of marine polysaccharides are distinctive in addressing antitumor therapeutic challenges such as targeting, environmental responsiveness, drug resistance, tissue toxicity, enhancing diagnostic imaging, overcoming the first-pass effect and innovative 3D binding. Additionally, they all share the possibility of relatively easy chemical modification, while their separation into well-defined derivatives provide innovative structure-activity relationship possibilities. Liposomes, nanoparticles and polymer-micelles constructed from them can efficiently deliver drugs such as paclitaxel, gemcitabine, siRNA and others, which are widely used in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, nucleic acid therapy and photothermal therapy, yet there are still infinite possibilities for innovation and exploration. This article reviews the recent advances and challenges of marine polysaccharide-based delivery systems as oncology drug nanocarriers.

Algae-derived compounds: Bioactivity, allergenicity and technologies enhancing their values

As a rapidly growing source of human nutrients, algae biosynthesize diverse metabolites which have promising bioactivities. However, the potential allergenicity of algal components hinder their widespread adoption. This review provides a comprehensive review of various macro and micronutrients derived from algal biomass, with particular focus on bioactive compounds, including peptides, polyphenols, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids and phycocyanins. The approaches used to produce algal bioactive compounds and their health benefits (antioxidant, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory) are summarised. This review particularly focuses on the state-of-the-art of precision fermentation, encapsulation, cold plasma, high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, and subcritical water to reduce the allergenicity of algal compounds while increasing their bioactivity and bioavailability. By providing insights into current challenges of algae-derived compounds and opportunities for advancement, this review contributes to the ongoing discourse on maximizing their application potential in the food nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals industries.

Lipid- and polymer-based formulations containing TNF-α inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (iTNF-α) have revolutionized the therapeutic regimen of inflammatory bowel disease, but their main drawback is the parenteral route of administration they require. An alternative approach lies in the delivery of these molecules to the area involved in the inflammatory process by means of innovative formulations able to promote their localization in affected tissues while also decreasing the number of administrations required. This review describes the advantages deriving from the use of lipid- and polymer-based systems containing iTNF-α, focusing on their physicochemical and technological properties and discussing the preclinical results obtained in vivo using rodent models of colitis.

Ameliorated Effects of Fucoidan on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis and Accompanying Anxiety and Depressive Behaviors in Aged C57BL/6 Mice

Fucoidan has shown better effects on the improvement of acute ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the specific mechanisms by which fucoidan improves UC-related behavioral disorders in aged mice, especially its effect on the gut-brain axis, remain to be further explored. C57BL/6 male mice aged 8 months were gavaged with 400 or 100 mg/kg bw day fucoidan for five consecutive weeks, with UC being induced by ad libitum to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution in the fifth week. The results showed that fucoidan ameliorated UC and accompanying anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors with downregulated expressions of (NOD)-like receptor family and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1) and interlekin-1β (IL-1β), and elevated mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and postsynaptic-density protein 95 (Psd-95) in cortex and hippocampus. Furthermore, fucoidan improved the permeability of intestinal barrier and blood-brain barrier and restored the abnormal structure of the gut microbiota with a significantly decreased ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidota (F/B) and obviously increased abundance of Akkermansia. As a diet-derived bioactive ingredient, fucoidan might be a better alternative for the prevention of UC and accompanying anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors.

Preparation of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata Polysaccharide Iron(III) Complex and Evaluation of Its Biological Activity

This study extracted and purified a polysaccharide from Rehmanniae radix praeparata (RGP) with an average molecular weight. The structural characteristics of RGP and its iron (III) complex, RGP-Fe(III), were examined for their antioxidant properties and potential in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Analysis revealed that RGP comprised Man, Rha, Gal, and Xyl, with a sugar residue skeleton featuring 1→3; 1→2, 3; and 1→2, 3, 4 linkages, among others. RGP-Fe(III) had a molecular weight of 4.39×104 Da. Notably, RGP-Fe(III) exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to RGP alone. In IDA rat models, treatment with RGP-Fe(III) led to increased weight gain, restoration of key blood parameters including hemoglobin, red blood cells, and mean hemoglobin content, elevated serum iron levels, and decreased total iron-binding capacity. Histological examination revealed no observable toxic effects of RGP-Fe(III) on the liver and spleen. These findings suggest the potential of RGP-Fe(III) as a therapeutic agent for managing IDA and highlight its promising antioxidant properties.

Immunomodulatory potential of bioactive glycoside syringin: a network pharmacology and molecular modeling approach

Many diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative disease, lupus, autoimmune disease, and cancer, are described by chronic inflammation following tissue damage. Anti-inflammatory drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other steroids cause many side effects and generally need careful consideration and monitoring during usage. In recent years, a significant interest in plant-derived approaches has been warranted. The bioactive glycoside syringin might be one of the effective immunomodulatory agents. However, its immunomodulatory potential needs to be better known. In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory potential of syringin using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation-based approaches. First, we applied the GeneCards and OMIM databases to acquire the immunomodulatory agents. Then, the STRING database was utilized to get the hub genes. Interaction analysis and molecular docking described strong binding of the active site of immunomodulatory proteins with the bioactive syringin. Molecular dynamics simulations (200 ns) showed a very stable interaction of syringin with the immunomodulatory protein. Further, the optimized structure and molecular electrostatic potential of the syringin were calculated by a density-functional theory utilizing basis levels of B3LYP/6-31. Syringin investigated in this study holds the required drug-likeness characteristics and follows Lipinski's rule of five. However, quantum-chemical estimations show the syringin has potent reactivity, demonstrating a lower energy gap. Furthermore, the gap between ELUMO and EHOMO was low, suggesting the excellent affinity of syringin towards the immunomodulatory proteins. The present study shows that syringin might be an effective immunomodulatory agent and can be further explored using different experimental methods.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Carrageenan as a Potential Factor of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Carrageenan is a widely used food additive and is seen as a potential candidate in the pharmaceutical industry. However, there are two faces to carrageenan that allows it to be used positively for therapeutic purposes. Carrageenan can be used to create edible films and for encapsulating drugs, and there is also interest in the use of carrageenan for food printing. Carrageenan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide gum. Depending on the type of carrageenan, it is used in regulating the composition of intestinal microflora, including the increase in the population of Bifidobacterium bacteria. On the other hand, the studies have demonstrated the harmfulness of carrageenan in animal and human models, indicating a direct link between diet and intestinal inflammatory states. Carrageenan changes the intestinal microflora, especially Akkermansia muciniphilia, degrades the mucous barrier and breaks down the mucous barrier, causing an inflammatory reaction. It directly affects epithelial cells by activating the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) pathway. The mechanism is based on activation of the TLR4 receptor, alterations in macrophage activity, production of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of innate immune pathways. Carrageenan increases the content of Bacteroidetes bacteria, also causing a reduction in the number of short chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria. The result is damage to the integrity of the intestinal membrane and reduction of the mucin layer. The group most exposed to the harmful effects of carrageenan are people suffering from intestinal inflammation, including Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Coccomyxa subellipsoidea KJ Components Enhance the Expression of Metallothioneins and Th17 Cytokines during Human T Cell Activation

Coccomyxa subellipsoidea KJ (C-KJ) is a green alga with unique immunoregulatory characteristics. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the modification of T cell function by C-KJ components. The water-soluble extract of C-KJ was fractionated into protein (P) and sugar (S) fractions acidic (AS), basic (BS), and neutral (NS). These fractions were used for the treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with toxic shock syndrome toxin-1. Transcriptome analysis revealed that both P and AS enhanced the expression of the genes encoding metallothionein (MT) family proteins, inflammatory factors, and T helper (Th) 17 cytokine and suppressed that of those encoding Th2 cytokines in stimulated T cells. The kinetics of MT1 and MT2A gene expression showed a transient increase in MT1 and maintenance of MT2A mRNA after T cell stimulation in the presence of AS. The kinetics of Th17-related cytokine secretion in the early period were comparable to those of MT2A mRNA. Furthermore, our findings revealed that static, a STAT-3 inhibitor, significantly suppressed MT2A gene expression. These findings suggest that the expression of MTs is involved in the immune regulatory function of C-KJ components, which is partially regulated by Th17 responses, and may help develop innovative immunoregulatory drugs or functional foods.

Biomedical potency and mechanisms of marine polysaccharides and oligosaccharides: A review

Derived from bountiful marine organisms (predominantly algae, fauna, and microorganisms), marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides are intricate macromolecules that play a significant role in the growth and development of marine life. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides as auspicious natural products due to their promising biological attributes. Herein, we provide an overview of recent advances in the miscellaneous biological activities of marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides that encompasses their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-diabetes mellitus, and anticoagulant properties. Furthermore, we furnish a concise summary of the underlying mechanisms governing the behavior of these biological macromolecules. We hope that this review inspires research on marine polysaccharides and marine oligosaccharides in medicinal applications while offering fresh perspectives on their broader facets.

Structural and biofunctional diversity of sulfated polysaccharides from the genus Codium (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta): A review

It is believed that polysaccharides will become a focal point for future production of food, pharmaceuticals, and materials due to their ubiquitous and renewable nature, as well as their exceptional properties that have been extensively validated in the fields of nutrition, healthcare, and materials. Sulfated polysaccharides derived from seaweed sources have attracted considerable attention owing to their distinctive structures and properties. The genus Codium, represented by the species C. fragile, holds significance as a vital economic green seaweed and serves as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. To date, the cell walls of the genus Codium have been found to contain at least four types of sulfated polysaccharides, specifically pyruvylated β-d-galactan sulfates, sulfated arabinogalactans, sulfated β-l-arabinans, and sulfated β-d-mannans. These sulfated polysaccharides exhibit diverse biofunctions, including anticoagulant, immune-enhancing, anticancer, antioxidant activities, and drug-carrying capacity. This review explores the structural and biofunctional diversity of sulfated polysaccharides derived from the genus Codium. Additionally, in addressing the impending challenges within the industrialization of these polysaccharides, encompassing concerns regarding scale-up production and quality control, we outline potential strategies to address these challenges from the perspectives of raw materials, extraction processes, purification technologies, and methods for quality control.

Surface modification strategies for improved hemocompatibility of polymeric materials: a comprehensive review

Polymeric biomaterials are a widely used class of materials due to their versatile properties. However, as with all other types of materials used for biomaterials, polymers also have to interact with blood. When blood comes into contact with any foreign body, it initiates a cascade which leads to platelet activation and blood coagulation. The implant surface also has to encounter a thromboinflammatory response which makes the implant integrity vulnerable, this leads to blood coagulation on the implant and obstructs it from performing its function. Hence, the surface plays a pivotal role in the design and application of biomaterials. In particular, the surface properties of biomaterials are responsible for biocompatibility with biological systems and hemocompatibility. This review provides a report on recent advances in the field of surface modification approaches for improved hemocompatibility. We focus on the surface properties of polysaccharides, proteins, and synthetic polymers. The blood coagulation cascade has been discussed and blood - material surface interactions have also been explained. The interactions of blood proteins and cells with polymeric material surfaces have been discussed. Moreover, the benefits as well as drawbacks of blood coagulation on the implant surface for wound healing purposes have also been studied. Surface modifications implemented by other researchers to enhance as well as prevent blood coagulation have also been analyzed.

Marine-derived polysaccharides and their therapeutic potential in wound healing application - A review

Polysaccharides originating from marine sources have been studied as potential material for use in wound dressings because of their desirable characteristics of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. Marine-derived polysaccharides used as wound dressing, provide several benefits such as promoting wound healing by providing a moist environment that facilitates cell migration and proliferation. They can also act as a barrier against external contaminants and provide a protective layer to prevent further damage to the wound. Research studies have shown that marine-derived polysaccharides can be used to develop different types of wound dressings such as hydrogels, films, and fibres. These dressings can be personalised to meet specific requirements based on the type and severity of the wound. For instance, hydrogels can be used for deep wounds to provide a moist environment, while films can be used for superficial wounds to provide a protective barrier. Additionally, these polysaccharides can be modified to improve their properties, such as enhancing their mechanical strength or increasing their ability to release bioactive molecules that can promote wound healing. Overall, marine-derived polysaccharides show great promise for developing effective and safe wound dressings for various wound types.

Attenuation of CFA-induced chronic inflammation by a bicyclic monoterpene fenchone targeting inducible nitric oxide, prostaglandins, C-reactive protein and urea

Fenchone (a bicyclic monoterpene) is present in the essential oils of plant species like Foeniculum vulgare and Peumus boldus and is used to treat GIT disorders. Research reports have indicated its strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-nociceptive properties. The present study was designed to investigate fenchone's anti-arthritic effects in a rat model of chronic joint inflammation (Complete Freud's Adjuvant-mediated inflammation [CFA]). Molecular docking analysis revealed a high binding interaction of fenchone with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Interleukin-17, Prostaglandin E Receptor EP4, and Cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), indicating its anti-inflammatory efficacy using computational tests. Fenchone treatment at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg significantly enhanced the tail-flick latency when compared with the solvent-treated group. Correspondingly, the raised mRNA values of iNOS, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2 in solvent-treated group were significantly reduced following treatment with fenchone. Moreover, fenchone significantly lowered spleen and thymus indices, Nitric oxide (NO) and PGE2 values as compared to solvent-treated group. Hence, the results of the present study indicated that fenchone has a potent anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting pro-inflammatory markers and thus may have therapeutic potential for chronic joint inflammation as well as chronic inflammatory disorders.

Potential Application of Marine Fucosyl-Polysaccharides in Regulating Blood Glucose and Hyperglycemic Complications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become the world's third major disease after tumors and cardiovascular disease. With the exploitation of marine biological resources, the efficacy of using polysaccharides isolated from marine organisms in blood glucose regulation has received widespread attention. Some marine polysaccharides can reduce blood glucose by inhibiting digestive enzyme activity, eliminating insulin resistance, and regulating gut microbiota. These polysaccharides are mainly fucose-containing sulphated polysaccharides from algae and sea cucumbers. It follows that the hypoglycemic activity of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides is closely related to their structure, such as their sulfate group, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight and glycosidic bond type. However, the structure of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides and the mechanism of their hypoglycemic activity are not yet clear. Therefore, this review comprehensively covers the effects of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides sources, mechanisms and the structure-activity relationship on hypoglycemic activity. Moreover, the potential regulatory effects of fucosyl-polysaccharides on vascular complications caused by hyperglycemia are also summarized in this review. This review provides rationales for the activity study of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides and new insights into the high-value utilization of marine biological resources.

Ferroptosis as a Potential Therapeutic Target of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mycotoxicosis: A Review

Mycotoxin contamination has become one of the biggest hidden dangers of food safety, which seriously threatens human health. Understanding the mechanisms by which mycotoxins exert toxicity is key to detoxification. Ferroptosis is an adjustable cell death characterized by iron overload and lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and glutathione (GSH) depletion. More and more studies have shown that ferroptosis is involved in organ damage from mycotoxins exposure, and natural antioxidants can alleviate mycotoxicosis as well as effectively regulate ferroptosis. In recent years, research on the treatment of diseases by Chinese herbal medicine through ferroptosis has attracted more attention. This article reviews the mechanism of ferroptosis, discusses the role of ferroptosis in mycotoxicosis, and summarizes the current status of the regulation of various mycotoxicosis through ferroptosis by Chinese herbal interventions, providing a potential strategy for better involvement of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of mycotoxicosis in the future.

The Role of Seaweed Polysaccharides in Gastrointestinal Health: Protective Effect against Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a prominent global public health issue. Anti-inflammatory medications, immunosuppressants, and biological therapies are currently used as treatments. However, they are often unsuccessful and have negative consequences on human health. Thus, there is a tremendous demand for using natural substances, such as seaweed polysaccharides, to treat IBD's main pathologic treatment targets. The cell walls of marine algae are rich in sulfated polysaccharides, including carrageenan in red algae, ulvan in green algae, and fucoidan in brown algae. These are effective candidates for drug development and functional nutrition products. Algal polysaccharides treat IBD through therapeutic targets, including inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules, intestinal epithelial cells, and intestinal microflora. This study aimed to systematically review the potential therapeutic effects of algal polysaccharides on IBD while providing the theoretical basis for a nutritional preventive mechanism for IBD and the restoration of intestinal health. The results suggest that algal polysaccharides have significant potential in complementary IBD therapy and further research is needed for fully understanding their mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications.

Immunomodulatory glycomedicine: Introducing next generation cancer glycovaccines

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide due to the lack of safer and more effective therapies. Cancer vaccines developed from neoantigens are an emerging strategy to promote protective and therapeutic anti-cancer immune responses. Advances in glycomics and glycoproteomics have unveiled several cancer-specific glycosignatures, holding tremendous potential to foster effective cancer glycovaccines. However, the immunosuppressive nature of tumours poses a major obstacle to vaccine-based immunotherapy. Chemical modification of tumour associated glycans, conjugation with immunogenic carriers and administration in combination with potent immune adjuvants constitute emerging strategies to address this bottleneck. Moreover, novel vaccine vehicles have been optimized to enhance immune responses against otherwise poorly immunogenic cancer epitopes. Nanovehicles have shown increased affinity for antigen presenting cells (APCs) in lymph nodes and tumours, while reducing treatment toxicity. Designs exploiting glycans recognized by APCs have further enhanced the delivery of antigenic payloads, improving glycovaccine's capacity to elicit innate and acquired immune responses. These solutions show potential to reduce tumour burden, while generating immunological memory. Building on this rationale, we provide a comprehensive overview on emerging cancer glycovaccines, emphasizing the potential of nanotechnology in this context. A roadmap towards clinical implementation is also delivered foreseeing advances in glycan-based immunomodulatory cancer medicine.

Pyropia yezoensis-derived porphyran attenuates acute and chronic colitis by suppressing dendritic cells

Porphyran is known to inhibit immune cell function. Previously, porphyran was shown to prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in mice. However, studies on the inhibitory effects of porphyran during colitis are currently lacking. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Pyropia yezoensis-derived porphyran on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis. The oral or intraperitoneal administration of porphyran inhibited the progression of DSS-induced colitis in mice, with the former also preventing immune cell infiltration in the colon. The levels of intracellular interferon-γ and interleukin-17 in T cells decreased when porphyran was administered orally. Porphyran inhibited T cell activation by suppressing dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Porphyran prevented pathogen-associated molecular pattern and damage-associated molecular pattern-dependent DC and macrophage activation. Finally, porphyran attenuated chronic colitis caused via the long-term administration of DSS. These findings indicate that the oral administration of porphyran can inhibit DSS-induced colitis by suppressing DC and macrophage activation.

Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic vLMW Fucoidan Formulas Decrease PD-L1 Surface Expression in EBV Latency III and DLBCL Tumoral B-Cells by Decreasing Actin Network

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects 95% of the world's population and persists latently in the body. It immortalizes B-cells and is associated with lymphomas. LCLs (lymphoblastoid cell lines, EBV latency III B-cells) inhibit anti-tumoral T-cell response following PD-L1 overexpression (programmed death-ligand 1 immune checkpoint). Many cancer cells, including some DLBCLs (diffuse large B-cell lymphomas), also overexpress PD-L1. Immunotherapies are based on inhibition of PD-L1/PD-1 interactions but present some dose-dependent toxicities. We aim to find new strategies to improve their efficiency by decreasing PD-L1 expression. Fucoidan, a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed, exhibits immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activities depending on its polymerization degree, but data are scarce on lymphoma cells or immune checkpoints. LCLs and DLBCLs cells were treated with native fucoidan (Fucus vesiculosus) or original very-low-molecular-weight fucoidan formulas (vLMW-F). We observed cell proliferation decrease and apoptosis induction increase with vLMW-F and no toxicity on normal B- and T-cells. We highlighted a decrease in transcriptional and PD-L1 surface expression, even more efficient for vLMW than native fucoidan. This can be explained by actin network alteration, suggesting lower fusion of secretory vesicles carrying PD-L1 with the plasma membrane. We propose vLMW-F as potential adjuvants to immunotherapy due to their anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects and ability to decrease PD-L1 membrane expression.

Health-Promoting Activities and Associated Mechanisms of Polygonati Rhizoma Polysaccharides

Polygonati Rhizoma, a typical homology of medicine and food, possesses remarkable anti-fatigue, anti-aging, metabolic regulatory, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetes, and anti-cancer effects. Among bioactive phytochemicals in Polygonati Rhizoma, polysaccharides play important roles in the health-promoting activities through the mechanisms mentioned above and potential synergistic effects with other bioactives. In this review, we briefly introduce the updated biosynthesis of polysaccharides, the purification method, the structure characterization, and food applications, and discuss in detail the biological activities of Polygonati Rhizoma polysaccharides and associated mechanisms, aiming at broadening the usage of Polygonati Rhizoma as functional food and medicine.

Polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus elicit T cell immunity by activation of human peripheral blood dendritic cells

Astragalus membranaceus is a widely used herbal medicine in Asia. It has been recognized as possessing various biological properties, however, studies on the activity of the A. membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP), a major component of A. membranaceus, on human peripheral blood dendritic cells (PBDCs) have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we found that AMP induced changes in dendritic morphology and the upregulation of activation marker expression and inflammatory cytokine production in human blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). The AMP promoted the activation of both blood dendritic cell antigen 1⁺ (BDCA1⁺) and BDCA3⁺ PBDCs. AMP-induced secretion of cytokines in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was mainly due to PBDCs. Finally, activated BDCA1⁺ and BDCA3⁺ PBDCs by AMP elicited proliferation and activation of autologous T cells, respectively. Hence, these data demonstrated that AMPs could activate dendritic and T cells in human blood, and may provide a new direction for the application of AMPs in the regulation of human immunity.

Bibliometric Analysis of Marine Traditional Chinese Medicine in Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China: Development, Differences, and Trends Directions

Background

Marine traditional Chinese medicine (MTCM) is a class of traditional medicine that has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Bibliometric approaches were used in this study to conduct systematic research in order to gain a complete picture of MTCM research around the world.

Methods

CiteSpace and NoteExpress software were utilized as tools to examine the information about authors, sources, keywords, etc. Chinese publications were collected from the CNKI, VIP, and WANFANG databases; English publications were collected from the Web of Science database.

Results

A total of 10080 publications were screened, and the search volume of Chinese literature is greater than that of English literature; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China, and Jeju National University, South Korea, published a greater number of articles than other institutions; the scholars Zhaohui-Zhang and Youjin-Jeon have published the highest number of articles in the world. MTCM of shells was often researched for inorganic elements, and data mining methods were applied frequently; MTCM of animals was commonly used for antifatigue and was taken authenticity identification owing to the scarcity of resources; scholars conducted the most research on MTCM of plants, this category usually for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant purposes, and the mechanisms of action were studied in depth. The Chinese literature has undertaken a multifaceted research study based on the theories of processing and the nature of TCM. In the English literature, in-depth studies have been done from the perspectives of the mechanism of action, the extraction and purification of active substances, etc.

Conclusions

According to the analysis of keywords, different medicinal parts present their own special research directions, and different research hotspots have also emerged under different medical theories. The development of MTCM is moving in the direction of standardization and modernization, thanks to the development of cross-disciplinary research as well as the use of several new technologies and statistical techniques.

Brown Macroalgae Sargassum cristaefolium Extract Inhibits Melanin Production and Cellular Oxygen Stress in B16F10 Melanoma Cells

The brown macroalgae Sargassum has been reported for its anti-UV and photoprotective potential for industrial applications. This study evaluated the melanin inhibition activity of Sargassum cristaefolium (SCE) ethanol extract. Melanogenesis inhibition by SCE was assessed in vitro with B16-F10 melanoma cell models and in silico against melanin regulatory proteins Tyrosinase (TYR) and Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R). The regulatory properties evaluated were the melanin content, intracellular tyrosinase activity and cellular antioxidant activities. In addition, the bioactive compounds detected in SCE were subjected to molecular docking against TYR and MC1R. Based on the results, 150 µg/mL SCE effectively inhibited the production of melanin content and intracellular tyrosinase activity. Cellular tyrosinase activity was reduced by SCE-treated cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The results were comparable to the standard tyrosinase inhibitor kojic acid. In addition, SCE effectively decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in B16-F10 cells. The antioxidant properties may also contribute to the inhibition of melanogenesis. In addition, LCMS UHPLC-HR-ESI-MS profiling detected 33 major compounds. The results based on in silico study revealed that the bioactive compound putative kaurenoic acid showed a strong binding affinity against TYR (-6.5 kcal/mol) and MC1R (-8.6 kcal/mol). However, further molecular analyses are needed to confirm the mechanism of SCE on melanin inhibition. Nevertheless, SCE is proposed as an anti-melanogenic and antioxidant agent, which could be further developed into cosmetic skin care products.

Therapeutic Applications of Fucoidans and their Potential to Act Against COVID-19

In this review article, we present the updated evidence of therapeutic applications of fucoidan (a seaweed polysaccharide) and its novel potential to treat infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Because of their many biological activities, seaweeds have been identified as a rich and useful source of bioactive chemicals. Sulfated polysaccharides from the sea are considered a source of physiologically active chemicals that might be used in medication development. Antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant, antibacterial, anticoagulant, and immune-inflammatory properties have all been described for these compounds. By interfering at various phases of viral infection, marine sulfated polysaccharide has a virucidal effect. As a result, it opens the door to the development of antiviral treatments. Virus entry into host cells is an initial process, avoiding this type of entry makes any precautionary measure effective. The inhibitory action of certain marine sulfated polysaccharides against coronavirus was tested, and fucoidan, iota-carrageenan, and sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharides all showed a substantial antiviral impact. Fucoidan is one of the useful sulfated polysaccharides that has been widely studied and explored in various research. There are different sources of fucoidans, which have been used in the treatment of viral infection. Additionally, we highlight the mechanism of action of fuocidan against COVID-19. Hence, we could suggest that COVID-19 might be prevented and treated using these sulfated polysaccharides. This review thus highlights ample evidence to support the hypothesis that a large number of drugs have been developed from powerful compounds isolated from marine seaweeds.

Frontier progress of the combination of modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, accounting for 90% of primary liver cancer) was the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer death in 2020. The number of new HCC patients in China accounted for nearly half of that in the world. HCC was of occult and complex onset, with poor prognosis. Clinically, at least 15% of patients with HCC had strong side effects of interventional therapy (IT) and have poor sensitivity to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a multi-target adjuvant therapy, had been shown to play an active anti-tumor role in many previous studies. This review systematically summarized the role of TCM combined with clinically commonly used drugs for the treatment of HCC (including mitomycin C, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, sorafenib, etc.) in the past basic research, and summarized the efficacy of TCM combined with surgery, IT and conventional therapy (CT) in clinical research. It was found that TCM, as an adjuvant treatment, played many roles in the treatment of HCC, including enhancing the tumor inhibition, reducing toxic and side effects, improving chemosensitivity and prolonging survival time of patients. This review summarized the advantages of integrated traditional Chinese and modern medicine in the treatment of HCC and provides a theoretical basis for clinical research.

The Potential of Marine Microalgae for the Production of Food, Feed, and Fuel (3F)

Whole-cell microalgae biomass and their specific metabolites are excellent sources of renewable and alternative feedstock for various products. In most cases, the content and quality of whole-cell biomass or specific microalgal metabolites could be produced by both fresh and marine microalgae strains. However, a large water footprint for freshwater microalgae strain is a big concern, especially if the biomass is intended for non-food applications. Therefore, if any marine microalgae could produce biomass of desired quality, it would have a competitive edge over freshwater microalgae. Apart from biofuels, recently, microalgal biomass has gained considerable attention as food ingredients for both humans and animals and feedstock for different bulk chemicals. In this regard, several technologies are being developed to utilize marine microalgae in the production of food, feed, and biofuels. Nevertheless, the production of suitable and cheap biomass feedstock using marine microalgae has faced several challenges associated with cultivation and downstream processing. This review will explore the potential pathways, associated challenges, and future directions of developing marine microalgae biomass-based food, feed, and fuels (3F).

Current Status and Perspective on the Use of Viral-Based Vectors in Eukaryotic Microalgae

During the last two decades, microalgae have attracted increasing interest, both commercially and scientifically. Commercial potential involves utilizing valuable natural compounds, including carotenoids, polysaccharides, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are widely applicable in food, biofuel, and pharmaceutical industries. Conversely, scientific potential focuses on bioreactors for producing recombinant proteins and developing viable technologies to significantly increase the yield and harvest periods. Here, viral-based vectors and transient expression strategies have significantly contributed to improving plant biotechnology. We present an updated outlook covering microalgal biotechnology for pharmaceutical application, transformation techniques for generating recombinant proteins, and genetic engineering tactics for viral-based vector construction. Challenges in industrial application are also discussed.

Characterization of Plocamium telfairiae Extract-Functionalized Au Nanostructures and Their Anti-Adipogenic Activity through PLD1

Here, Au nanostructure (AuNS) biosynthesis was mediated through ethanolic extract of Plocamium telfairiae (PT) without the use of stabilizers or surfactants. PT-functionalized AuNSs (PT-AuNSs) were analyzed using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Stable monodisperse PT-AuNSs were synthesized, with a mean size of 15.36 ± 0.10 nm and zeta potential of −35.85 ± 1.36 mV. Moreover, biosynthetic AuNPs with a face-centered structure of PT-AuNS exhibited crystalline characteristics. In addition, many functional groups playing important roles in the biological reduction of PT extracts were adsorbed on the surface of PT-AuNSs. Furthermore, the effects of PT-AuNSs on adipogenesis in immature adipocytes were investigated. PT-AuNSs reduced morphological changes, lowered triglyceride content, and increased lipid accumulation by approximately 78.6% in immature adipocytes compared with the values in mature adipocytes (MDI-induced). PT-AuNS suppressed lipid accumulation by downregulating the transcript and protein expression of C/EBPα, PPARγ, SREBP 1, FAS, and aP2. Finally, PT-AuNS induced the transcript and protein expression of UCP1, PRDM16, and PGC1a, thereby increasing mitochondrial biogenesis in mature adipocytes and effectively inducing brown adipogenesis. In this study, the biosynthesized PT-AuNS was used as a potential therapeutic candidate because it conferred a potent anti-lipogenic effect. As a result, it can be used in various scientific fields such as medicine and the environment.

Recent Discoveries on Marine Organism Immunomodulatory Activities

Marine organisms have been shown to be a valuable source for biologically active compounds for the prevention and treatment of cancer, inflammation, immune system diseases, and other pathologies. The advantage of studying organisms collected in the marine environment lies in their great biodiversity and in the variety of chemical structures of marine natural products. Various studies have focused on marine organism compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications, for instance, as immunomodulators, to treat cancer and immune-mediated diseases. Modulation of the immune system is defined as any change in the immune response that can result in the induction, expression, amplification, or inhibition of any phase of the immune response. Studies very often focus on the effects of marine-derived compounds on macrophages, as well as lymphocytes, by analyzing the release of mediators (cytokines) by using the immunological assay enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, immunofluorescence, and real-time PCR. The main sources are fungi, bacteria, microalgae, macroalgae, sponges, mollusks, corals, and fishes. This review is focused on the marine-derived molecules discovered in the last three years as potential immunomodulatory drugs.

Crude Polysaccharide Extracted From Moringa oleifera Leaves Prevents Obesity in Association With Modulating Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Moringa oleifera is a commonly used plant with high nutritional and medicinal values. M. oleifera leaves are considered a new food resource in China. However, the biological activities of M. oleifera polysaccharides (MOP) in regulating gut microbiota and alleviating obesity remain obscure. In the present study, we prepared the MOP and evaluated its effects on obesity and gut microbiota in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J mice. The experimental mice were supplemented with a normal chow diet (NCD group), a high-fat diet (HFD group), and HFD along with MOP at a different dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/d, respectively. Physiological, histological, biochemical parameters, genes related to lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota composition were compared among five experimental groups. The results showed that MOP supplementation effectively prevented weight gain and lipid accumulation induced by HFD, ameliorated blood lipid levels and insulin resistance, alleviated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and regulated the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and bile acid metabolism. In addition, MOP positively reshaped the gut microbiota composition, significantly increasing the abundance of Bacteroides, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, and Oscillibacter, while decreasing the relative abundance of Blautia, Alistipes, and Tyzzerella, which are closely associated with obesity. These results demonstrated that MOP supplementation has a protective effect against HFD-induced obesity in mice, which was associated with reshaping the gut microbiota. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the potential of MOP to prevent obesity and modulating gut microbiota, which suggests that MOP can be used as a potential prebiotic.

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products on Cervical Cancer: Based on Inflammatory Pathways

Inflammation is a protective response of the body to an irritant. When an inflammatory response occurs, immune cells are recruited to the injury, eliminating the irritation. The excessive inflammatory response can cause harm to the organism. Inflammation has been found to contribute to cervical cancer if there is a problem with the regulation of inflammatory response. Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors globally, and the incidence tends to be younger. The harm of cervical cancer cannot be ignored. The standard treatments for cervical cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the prognosis for this treatment is poor, so it is urgent to find a safer and more effective treatment. Natural products are considered excellent candidates for the treatment of cervical cancer. In this review, we first describe the mechanisms by which inflammation induces cervical cancer. Subsequently, we highlight natural products that can treat cervical cancer through inflammatory pathways. We also introduce natural products for the treatment of cervical cancer in clinical trials. Finally, methods to improve the anticancer properties of natural products were added, and the development status of natural products was discussed.

Immunomodulatory and Antitumoral Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Red Algae Aqueous Extracts

This study reports on the green and cost-efficient synthesis of gold nanoparticles from three different red algae extracts. The nanoparticles synthesized were fully characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, HRTEM, and Z-potential. Relevant components occurring in the extracts, such as polysaccharides or phenolic content, were assessed by analytical techniques such as spectrophotometric assays and liquid chromatography. Finally, the antioxidant, antitumoral, and anti-inflammatory potential of both the extracts and the gold nanoparticles synthesized were analyzed in order to determine a possible synergistic effect on the nanoparticles. The results obtained confirmed the obtainment of gold nanoparticles with significant potential as immunotherapeutic agents. The therapeutic potential of these nanoparticles could be higher than that of inert gold nanoparticles loaded with bioactive molecules since the former would allow for higher accumulation into the targeted tissue.