Protective effect of Amphiroa dilatata on ROS induced oxidative damage and MMP expressions in HT1080 cells

Optimizing the fucoidan extraction using Box-Behnken Design and its potential bioactivity

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide that occurs naturally in the cell wall of brown seaweeds and has substantial biological efficacy. Optimizing the extraction of fucoidan from different brown seaweeds was the primary goal of this research. The optimization of fucoidan extraction was applied on the brown macroalga Turbinaria turbinata using a Box-Behnken Design (BBD) to inspect the impacts of different pH (3, 5, 7), temperature (70, 80, 90 °C) and extraction duration (60, 120, 180 min) on both the yield and sulfate content of fucoidan. The optimized parameters recorded to maximize the fucoidan yield and its sulfate content were a pH of 3.44 and a temperature of 82.26 °C for 60 min. The optimal conditions obtained from BBD were used for fucoidan extraction from T. turbinata, Sargassum cinereum, Padina pavonica, and Dictyota dichotoma. The highest average of fucoidan yield was derived from P. pavonica (40.76 ± 4.04 % DW). FTIR, 1H NMR, and HPLC were used to characterize extracted fucoidan. The extracted fucoidan's Physical characteristics, biochemical composition, antioxidant potential, antitumor effect against breast cancer cells (MCF-7), and antimicrobial and anticoagulant activity were assessed. The extracted fucoidan from D. dichotoma, followed by that extracted from S. cinereum, which had the highest sulphate content, depicted the highest antioxidant, anticancer, and anticoagulant activities. Fucoidan has demonstrated a strong antimicrobial action against some pathogenic microorganisms; Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Candida albicans. The anticoagulant properties of fucoidan from D. dichotoma were stronger than those of fucoidan from S. cinereum, T. turbinata, and P. pavonica due to its higher sulphate content. These findings could be used for various biomedical applications to improve the pharmaceutical industry.

Antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic activity of bioactive peptides derived from abalone viscera (Haliotis fulgens and Haliotis corrugata)

Bioactive peptides have been studied in several sources due to their valuable potential in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Abalone viscera, which are normally discarded as byproducts, are a rich source of protein. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the potential bioactivity of peptides derived from abalone viscera (Haliotis fulgens and Haliotis corrugata) after hydrolysis with a commercial mixture of enzymes. The hydrolysates obtained were fractionated using gel filtration chromatography. The resulting hydrolysate fractions were investigated for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, including the expression of gelatinases mmp-2 and mmp-9 in human prostate cancer cell lines (PC3). Results showed antimicrobial activity for protein fractions of H. corrugata against Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomona aeuroginosa (66.2-116.25 kDa), Bacillus subtilis (6.5-21.5 kDa), and Aspergillus niger (97.4-116.25 kDa), while H. fulgens peptide fractions (200-31 kDa) displayed activity against six bacterial strains, and fractions from 116.25 to 21.5 kDa had effects on the fungus A. niger, Alternaria alternata, and Aspergillus flavus. Additionally, protein fractions displayed cytotoxic activity, inhibiting 30.4-53.8% of PC3 cellular growth. Selected fractions decreased the PMA-induced and not-induced expressions of mmp-2 and mmp-9 in PC3 cells. Abalone viscera, as byproducts, can be used as a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer peptides.

Fucoxanthin: A Promising Phytochemical on Diverse Pharmacological Targets

Fucoxanthin (FX) is a special carotenoid having an allenic bond in its structure. FX is extracted from a variety of algae and edible seaweeds. It has been proved to contain numerous health benefits and preventive effects against diseases like diabetes, obesity, liver cirrhosis, malignant cancer, etc. Thus, FX can be used as a potent source of both pharmacological and nutritional ingredient to prevent infectious diseases. In this review, we gathered the information regarding the current findings on antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin protective, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and other properties of FX including its bioavailability and stability characteristics. This review aims to assist further biochemical studies in order to develop further pharmaceutical assets and nutritional products in combination with FX and its various metabolites.

Antioxidant and anti-aging potential of a peptide formulation (Gal2-Pep) conjugated with gallic acid

Skin is highly vulnerable to premature aging due to external stress, therefore, in this study, a peptide formulation, (galloyl)2-KTPPTTP (Gal2-Pep) was synthesized by combining TPPTTP peptide, and gallic acid (GA). All peptides were synthesized on 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), and analyzed on an electrospray ionization (ESI)/quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) tandem mass spectroscopy (MS) system. Initially, Gal2-Pep showed no toxicity below the concentration 100 μM with cell survival rate of 88% for keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity of Gal2-Pep was more stable compared to GA alone; and after four weeks at room temperature, its ROS scavenging activity remained higher than 50%. Moreover, the peptide formulation, Gal2-Pep also exhibited elastase inhibitory effect in CCD-1064Sk fibroblast cells. Based on the results of RT-qPCR, it was proved in this study that Gal2-Pep increased the expression of PGC-1α to prevent oxidative stress, and validated its potential as an anti-aging agent through increasing the expression of type I collagen and by decreasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1). The findings obtained reinforce the suggestion that the peptide formulation synthesized in this study could be used as a natural antioxidant and anti-aging agent for its cosmetic applications.

The application of novel mussel-inspired compounds in dentistry

OBJECTIVE

To give a current review of the mechanism of mussel adhesion, the application of mussel-inspired compounds in dentistry and the challenges associated with clinical application.

METHODS

Inspired by the wet adhesion property of 3,4-dihydroxyphenol-l-alanine (Dopa) in mussel plaques, various chemical compounds have been synthesized to mimic the mussel as an adhesion model for medical applications. Similar to mussels in the marine environment, dental materials in the oral environment have to endure long-term water hydrolysis, mechanical stress and other chemical challenges. These challenges have influenced an increasing number of studies that are exploring the translation of mussel-inspired adhesion to clinical applications. Therefore, this review discusses the mussel adhesion chemistry and its related application in dentistry.

RESULTS

Mussel-inspired compounds have achieved relatively acceptable performances in various dental fields, including surface coating, metal ions chelation, dentin bonding and mucosal adhesion. However, two practical problems remain to be comprehensively addressed, namely the protection of catechol groups from oxidation, and the feasibility for clinical application.

SIGNIFICANCE

The mussel's wet adhesion ability has attracted much research interest in the dental field because of its properties of moisture-resistant adhesion and surface coating. Despite the emergence of several mussel-inspired compounds in recent years, a comprehensive and timely review of their applications in dentistry is lacking. Therefore, the current review hopes to provide valuable information around the application of mussel-inspired compounds in dentistry with their pros and cons discussed.

Bioprospecting of Coralline Red Alga Amphiroa rigida J.V. Lamouroux: Volatiles, Fatty Acids and Pigments

Due to the lack of phytochemical composition data, the major goals of the present study on Amphiroa rigida J.V. Lamouroux were to: (a) investigate and compare volatilome profiles of fresh and air-dried samples obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and hydrodistillation (HD) followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis; (b) determine fatty acids profile by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID); (c) obtain the pigment profiles of semipurified extracts by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and (d) evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of its less polar fractions. The comparison of headspace of fresh (FrAr) and air-dried (DrAr) samples revealed many similarities regarding the presence and abundance of the major (heptadecane and pentadecane) and minor compounds. The hydrodistillate (HD) of DrAr profile was quite different in comparison to HD-FrAr. The predominant compound in HD-FrAr was (E)-phytol. In HD-DrAr, its percentage was approximately one-half reduced, but the abundance of its degradation product phytone and of unsaturated and oxygenated compounds increased indicating more intense fatty acid decomposition and oxidation during drying. The fatty acid determination revealed that the most dominant was palmitic acid (42.86%) followed by eicosapentaenoic acid (19.14%) and stearic acid (11.65%). Among the pigments, A. rigida contained fucoxanthin (0.63 mg g⁻¹ of dry fraction), lutein (5.83 mg g⁻¹), β-carotene (6.18 mg g⁻¹) and chlorophyll a (13.65 mg g⁻¹). The analyzed less polar fractions of A. rigida exhibited antioxidant scavenging activity with diammonium salt of 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-yl) sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay up to 3.87 mg g⁻¹ trolox equivalents (TE), and with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay up to 825.63 μmol g⁻¹ TE (with carotenoids as the major contributors).

Structural characterization of a novel polysaccharide from Sargassum thunbergii and its antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects

A novel polysaccharide STSP-I was isolated and purified from Sargassum thunbergii. Its structure and bioactivity were studied using gas chromatography (GC), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), periodate oxidation-smith degradation, partial acid hydrolysis, methylation-GC-MS, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), radicals scavenging assays and anti-inflammatory assays. STSP-I was consisted of fucose and galactose with a molar ratio of 1.2:1, and its mass was 373 kDa. The main structural components of STSP-I were →4)-α-D-Galp-(1→ and →3)-β-L-Fucp-(1→, STSP-I was a non-branched polysaccharide, and TEM further revealed the existence of entangled chains and linear forms. Compared with Vitamin C (Vc), STSP-I showed a higher scavenging effect of superoxide radical (EC50 = 0.22 mg/mL) and an equivalent scavenging effect of hydroxyl radical (EC50 = 0.88 mg/mL). STSP-I also exhibited good inhibitory effects of TNF-α, IL-6 and COX-2 mRNA expressions in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells, and the inhibitory effects were more than 91% at the concentrations of 75 and 150 μg/ml. The results indicate that the polysaccharide STSP-I from S. thunbergii with the linear structure may serve as potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Marine natural pigments as potential sources for therapeutic applications

In recent years, marine natural pigments have emerged as a powerful alternative in the various fields of food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries because of their excellent biocompatibility, bioavailability, safety, and stability. Marine organisms are recognized as a rich source of natural pigments such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phycobiliproteins. Numerous studies have shown that marine natural pigments have considerable medicinal potential and promising applications in human health. In this review, we summarize the marine natural pigments as potential sources for therapeutic applications, including: antioxidant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory activities, drug delivery, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and wound healing. Marine natural pigments will offer a better platform for future theranostic applications.

Catechol-based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors with additional antioxidative activity

New catechol-containing chemical entities have been investigated as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors as well as antioxidant molecules. The combination of the two properties could represent a useful feature due to the potential application in all the pathological processes characterized by increased proteolytic activity and radical oxygen species (ROS) production, such as inflammation and photoaging. A series of catechol-based molecules were synthesized and tested for both proteolytic and oxidative inhibitory activity, and the detailed binding mode was assessed by crystal structure determination of the complex between a catechol derivative and the matrix metalloproteinase-8. Surprisingly, X-ray structure reveals that the catechol oxygens do not coordinates the zinc atom.

Non-targeted Metabolite Profiling and Scavenging Activity Unveil the Nutraceutical Potential of Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk)

Non-targeted metabolomics implies that psyllium (Plantago ovata) is a rich source of natural antioxidants, PUFAs (ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids) and essential and sulfur-rich amino acids, as recommended by the FAO for human health. Psyllium contains phenolics and flavonoids that possess reducing capacity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities. In leaves, seeds, and husks, about 76, 78, 58% polyunsaturated, 21, 15, 20% saturated, and 3, 7, 22% monounsaturated fatty acids were found, respectively. A range of FAs (C12 to C24) was detected in psyllium and among different plant parts, a high content of the nutritive indicators ω-3 alpha-linolenic acid CPS (57%) and ω-6 linoleic acid CPS (18%) was detected in leaves. Similarly, total content of phenolics and the essential amino acid valine were also detected utmost in leaves followed by sulfur-rich amino acids and flavonoids. In total, 36 different metabolites were identified in psyllium, out of which 26 (13 each) metabolites were detected in leaves and seeds, whereas the remaining 10 were found in the husk. Most of the metabolites are natural antioxidants, phenolics, flavonoids, or alkaloids and can be used as nutrient supplements. Moreover, these metabolites have been reported to have several pharmaceutical applications, including anti-cancer activity. Natural plant ROS scavengers, saponins, were also detected. Based on metabolomic data, the probable presence of a flavonoid biosynthesis pathway was inferred, which provides useful insight for metabolic engineering in the future. Non-targeted metabolomics, antioxidants and scavenging activities reveal the nutraceutical potential of the plant and also suggest that psyllium leaves can be used as a green salad as a dietary supplement to daily food.

Acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase inhibitory activities of the edible brown alga Eisenia bicyclis

As part of our ongoing isolation of cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors from natural marine sources, the bioactivity of the ethanolic extracts from 12 Korean seaweeds were screened for their inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and total reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Eisenia bicyclis exhibited promising inhibitory properties against AChE, BChE and total ROS with inhibition percentages (%) of 68.01 ± 1.37, 95.72 ± 3.80, and 73.20 ± 1.82 at concentrations of 25 µg/mL, respectively. Among the different solvent-soluble fractions obtained from the ethanolic extract, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction was found to cause the most potent scavenging, or inhibitory activities, against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and total ROS with the respective IC50 values of 2.48 ± 0.01, 8.70 ± 0.06, and 0.81 ± 0.03 µg/mL. Likewise, the EtOAc fraction also exhibited potent inhibitory activities against AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 2.78 ± 0.07 and 3.48 ± 0.32 µg/mL, respectively. Silica gel column chromatography of the EtOAc fraction yielded a phlorotannin, 974-B, based on the comparison with reported (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopic data. 974-B showed strong scavenging/or inhibitory potential against DPPH, ONOO(-), total ROS, AChE, and BChE with the respective IC50 values of 0.86 ± 0.02, 1.80 ± 0.01, 6.45 ± 0.04, 1.95 ± 0.01, and 3.26 ± 0.08 µM, respectively. These results indicate that the potential of E. bicyclis and its phlorotannin for use in the development of therapeutic or preventive agents of Alzheimer's disease mainly through ChE inhibition and additional antioxidant capacities.

Protective effect of porphyra-334 on UVA-induced photoaging in human skin fibroblasts

The significant increase in life expectancy is closely related to the growing interest in the impact of aging on the function and appearance of the skin. Skin aging is influenced by several factors, and solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is considered one of the most important causes of skin photoaging. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-photoaging role of porphyra-334 from Porphyra (P.) yezoensis, a mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA), using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). In the present study, extracted UV-absorbing compounds from P. yezoensis included palythine, asterina-330 and porphyra-334. Porphyra-334 was the most abundant MAA in P. yezoensis, and it was therefore used for conducting antiphotoaging experiments. The effect of porphyra-334 on the prevention of photoaging was investigated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels, as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) components and protein expression in UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts. Porphyra-334 suppressed ROS production and the expression of MMPs following UVA irradiation, while increasing levels of ECM components, such as procollagen, type I collagen, elastin. These results suggest that porphyra-334 has various applications in cosmetics and toiletries because of its anti-photoaging activities and may serve as a novel anti-aging agent.

Anticancer activity of Sargassum wightii Greville on Dalton's ascitic lymphoma

AIM

Sargassum wightii Greville is a marine brown alga belonging to the Sargassaceae family which has about 200 species. The ethanolic extract of the whole dry plant powder contained numerous phytoconstituents, including flavonoids. The study was focused on the anticancer activity of Sargassum wightii in mice.

METHOD

The ethanolic extract of Sargassum wightii (EESW) at two dose levels was used to examine the anticancer activity in mice using DAL cell lines to induce cancer. The body weight, viable and non-viable tumor cell count, mean survival time, increase in life span, and hematological parameters were observed for anticancer activity of EESW.

RESULTS

The intraperitoneal inoculation of DAL cells in mice significantly increased cancer cell count. The decrease in the cancer cell number observed in the EESW-treated group cancer animals indicates that the test drug has a significant inhibitory effect on the tumor cell proliferation. Treatment with EESW also showed a significant decrease in tumor weight, and hence increased the lifespan of DAL-treated mice. In addition, EESW administration significantly restored the hematological parameters in DAL-treated mice.

CONCLUSION

The present study results suggest that administration of extract offers enhanced antioxidant potential. Therefore it can be concluded from this study that EESW possesses anticancer activity.

Anticancer and antitumor potential of fucoidan and fucoxanthin, two main metabolites isolated from brown algae

Seaweed is one of the largest producers of biomass in marine environment and is a rich arsenal of active metabolites and functional ingredients with valuable beneficial health effects. Being a staple part of Asian cuisine, investigations on the crude extracts of Phaeophyceae or brown algae revealed marked antitumor activity, eliciting a variety of research to determine the active ingredients involved in this potential. The sulfated polysaccharide of fucoidan and carotenoid of fucoxanthin were found to be the most important active metabolites of brown algae as potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents. This review strives to provide detailed account of all current knowledge on the anticancer and antitumor activity of fucoidan and fucoxanthin as the two major metabolites isolated from brown algae.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitory effects of an octameric oligopeptide isolated from abalone Haliotis discus hannai

Abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) is a marine gastropod, and an important fishery and food industrial resource that is massively maricultured in Asia, Africa, Australia and America. However, its health benefits have rarely been studied for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical application. In this study, the purified abalone oligopeptide (AOP) with anti-matrix metalloproteinases (anti-MMPs) effects was isolated from the digests of abalone intestine using recycle HPLC with a JAI W253 column and an OHpak SB-803 HQ column. The AOP was identified as Ala-Glu-Leu-Pro-Ser-Leu-Pro-Gly (MW=782.4 Da) with a de novo peptide sequencing technique using a tandem mass spectrometer. The AOP exhibited a specific inhibitory effect against MMP-2/-9 activity and attenuated protein expression of p50 and p65 in the human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cells, dose-dependently. The results presented illustrate that the AOP could inhibit MMP-2/-9 expression in HT1080 cells via the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB)-mediated pathway. This data suggest that the AOP from H. discus hannai intestine may possess therapeutic and preventive potential for the treatment of MMPs-related disorders such as angiogenesis and cardiovascular diseases.

Synthesis and characterization of ampelopsin glucosides using dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-1299CB4: glucosylation enhancing physicochemical properties

Novel ampelopsin glucosides (AMPLS-Gs) were enzymatically synthesized and purified using a Sephadex LH-20 column. Each structure of the purified AMPLS-Gs was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, and the ionic product of AMPLS-G1 was observed at m/z 505 (C₂₁H₂₂O₁₃·Na)⁺ using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. AMPLS-G1 was identified as ampelopsin-4'-O-α-D-glucopyranoside. The optimum condition for AMPLS-G1, determined using response surface methodology, was 70 mM ampelopsin, 150 mM sucrose, and 1 U/mL dextransucrase, which resulted in an AMPLS-G1 yield of 34 g/L. The purified AMPLS-G1 displayed 89-fold increased water solubility and 14.5-fold browning resistance compared to those of AMPLS and competitive inhibition against tyrosinase with a K(i) value of 40.16 μM. This value was smaller than that of AMPLS (K(i)=62.56 μM) and much smaller than that of β-arbutin (K(i)=514.84 μM), a commercial active ingredient of whitening cosmetics. These results indicate the potential of AMPLS and AMPLS-G1 as superior ingredients for functional cosmetics.

Neuroprotective effects of marine algae

The marine environment is known as a rich source of chemical structures with numerous beneficial health effects. Among marine organisms, marine algae have been identified as an under-exploited plant resource, although they have long been recognized as valuable sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds. Presently, several lines of studies have provided insight into biological activities and neuroprotective effects of marine algae including antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, cholinesterase inhibitory activity and the inhibition of neuronal death. Hence, marine algae have great potential to be used for neuroprotection as part of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and functional foods. This contribution presents an overview of marine algal neuroprotective effects and their potential application in neuroprotection.

Potential role of marine algae on female health, beauty, and longevity

Marine environment has been known as a rich source of chemical structures with numerous health benefit effects. Among marine organisms, marine algae have been identified as an underexploited plant resource although they have long been recognized as valuable sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds. Presently, several lines of studies have provided insight into biological activities of marine algae in promoting female health, beauty, and longevity. Hence, marine algae have a great potential to be used as a part of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. This contribution presents an overview of marine algal potential effect in promoting female health, beauty, and longevity.

Biological activities and potential health benefits of fucoxanthin derived from marine brown algae

The importance of marine algae as sources of functional ingredients has been well recognized due to their valuable health beneficial effects. Therefore, isolation and investigation of novel bioactive ingredients with biological activities from marine algae have attracted great attention. Among functional ingredients identified from marine algae, fucoxanthin has received particular interest. Fucoxanthin has been attributed with extraordinary potential for protecting the organism against a wide range of diseases and has considerable potential and promising applications in human health. Fucoxanthin has been reported to exhibit various beneficial biological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and neuroprotective activities. In this chapter, the currently available scientific literatures regarding the most significant activities of fucoxanthin are summarized.

Sea lettuces: culinary uses and nutritional value

In many countries, sea lettuces are commonly consumed as food by human since the beginning of times. Sea lettuces contain significant amount of nutrients which are essential for human body. Moreover, several studies have provided insight into biological activities and health promoting effects of sea lettuces. Despite having so much health beneficial effects, sea lettuces are still identified as an underexploited plant resources for food purposes. Hence, sea lettuces have a great potential for further development as products in foods and pharmaceutical areas. Further, potential applications of polysaccharides, protein and amino acid, lipid and fatty acid, mineral and vitamin contents may increase the sea lettuces value. This contributions presents information on the currently culinary use of sea lettuces worldwide and nutritional aspects of sea lettuces.