Nutraceutical Potential of Five Mexican Brown Seaweeds

Anti-inflammatory Activities of Sulfated Polysaccharides From Ethanol Crude Extract of Spyrida Species Red Seaweed

INTRODUCTION

The extracts derived from red seaweed have shown characteristics that may reduce inflammation. The abovementioned effects can potentially provide positive outcomes in managing inflammatory illnesses, including arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other skin problems.

AIM

The polysaccharides were isolated from the Spyrida species. The water-soluble polysaccharides were extracted and fractionated from several Indian seaweeds (Red) using a simple, cost-effective approach. Anti-inflammatory effects were further evaluated and validated by FTIR and FESEM analyses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

FT-IR and FESEM were used to assess the structural features of polysaccharides and the surface morphology. In addition, the red seaweed species of the genus Spyrida, which includes polysaccharides, was shown to significantly inhibit the denaturation of bovine serum albumin (BSA), further proving that the substance has anti-inflammatory qualities.

RESULTS

In this work, an assay to suppress protein activity was utilized to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of polysaccharides derived from Spyrida. As predicted, increasing concentrations of the extract, ranging from 25 to 100 µg/ml, led to a rise in the percentage of inhibited protein denaturation.

CONCLUSION

A statistically significant difference was found between these findings and those obtained with aspirin, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID). The red algae that grow in the shallow waters of the southern Indian Ocean may be used in medicine.

Pressurized Hot Liquid Extraction with 15% v/v Glycerol-Water as An Effective Environment-Friendly Process to Obtain Durvillaea incurvata and Lessonia spicata Phlorotannin Extracts with Antioxidant and Antihyperglycemic Potential

Brown seaweed phlorotannins have shown the potential to promote several health benefits. Durvillaea incurvata and Lessonia spicata-species that are widely distributed in central and southern Chile-were investigated to obtain phlorotannin extracts with antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potential. The use of an environmentally friendly and food-grade glycerol-based pressurized hot liquid extraction (PHLE) process (15% v/v glycerol water) was assessed for the first time to obtain phlorotannins. Multiple effects were analyzed, including the effect of the species, harvesting area (Las Cruces and Niebla), and anatomical part (holdfast, stipe, and frond) on the extracts' polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AC), and carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme-α-glucosidase and α-amylase-inhibitory activity. Contaminants, such as mannitol, heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Sn), and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), were also determined. The anatomical part used demonstrated a significant impact on the extracts' TPC and AC, with holdfasts showing the highest values (TPC: 95 ± 24 mg phloroglucinol equivalents/g dry extract; DPPH: 400 ± 140 μmol Trolox equivalents/g dry extract; ORAC: 560 ± 130 μmol TE/g dry extract). Accordingly, holdfast extracts presented the most potent α-glucosidase inhibition, with D. incurvata from Niebla showing an activity equivalent to fifteen times that of acarbose. Only one frond and stipe extract showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity. No α-amylase inhibition was found in any extract. Although no HMF was detected, potentially hazardous cadmium levels (over the French limit) and substantial mannitol concentrations-reaching up to 50% of the extract dry weight-were found in most seaweed samples and extracts. Therefore, further purification steps are suggested if food or pharmaceutical applications are intended for the seaweed PHLE extracts obtained in this study.

Whole Alga, Algal Extracts, and Compounds as Ingredients of Functional Foods: Composition and Action Mechanism Relationships in the Prevention and Treatment of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major systemic disease which involves impaired pancreatic function and currently affects half a billion people worldwide. Diet is considered the cornerstone to reduce incidence and prevalence of this disease. Algae contains fiber, polyphenols, ω-3 PUFAs, and bioactive molecules with potential antidiabetic activity. This review delves into the applications of algae and their components in T2DM, as well as to ascertain the mechanism involved (e.g., glucose absorption, lipids metabolism, antioxidant properties, etc.). PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were used. Papers in which whole alga, algal extracts, or their isolated compounds were studied in in vitro conditions, T2DM experimental models, and humans were selected and discussed. This review also focuses on meat matrices or protein concentrate-based products in which different types of alga were included, aimed to modulate carbohydrate digestion and absorption, blood glucose, gastrointestinal neurohormones secretion, glycosylation products, and insulin resistance. As microbiota dysbiosis in T2DM and metabolic alterations in different organs are related, the review also delves on the effects of several bioactive algal compounds on the colon/microbiota-liver-pancreas-brain axis. As the responses to therapeutic diets vary dramatically among individuals due to genetic components, it seems a priority to identify major gene polymorphisms affecting potential positive effects of algal compounds on T2DM treatment.

Uncovering Prospective Role and Applications of Existing and New Nutraceuticals from Bacterial, Fungal, Algal and Cyanobacterial, and Plant Sources

Nutraceuticals are a category of products more often associated with food but having pharmaceuticals property and characteristics. However, there is still no internationally accepted concept of these food-pharmaceutical properties, and their interpretation can differ from country to country. Nutraceuticals are used as part of dietary supplements in most countries. They can be phytochemicals which are biologically active and have health benefits. These can be supplied as a supplement and/or as a functional food to the customer. For human health and longevity, these materials are likely to play a vital role. Consumption of these items is typical without a therapeutic prescription and/or supervision by the vast majority of the public. The development of nutraceuticals can be achieved through many bioresources and organisms. This review article will discuss the current research on nutraceuticals from different biological sources and their potential use as an agent for improving human health and well-being, as well as the gaps and future perspective of research related to nutraceutical development.

Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Potential Applications of Sargassum fulvellum

Sargassum fulvellum is a brown seaweed of the Sargassaceae family which has been demonstrated to exhibit antipyretic, analgesic, antiedema, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, neuroprotective, anticoagulative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. It has been widely used as a food additive and as a medicine in oriental medicine to treat lumps, dropsy, swelling, testicular pains, and urinary problems. S. fulvellum has been identified as a potential producer of a wide spectrum of natural compounds such as carotenoids, fucoidans, and phlorotannins, showing different biological activities in various industrial applications including pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and functional food. However, the promising health effects associated with the extracts and compounds isolated from S. fulvellum have not been reviewed to date. The present review thus focuses on the biological activity of S. fulvellum as reported by previous publications, which include antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. Thus, this review might serve to increase the utilization of this invaluable natural source as a potential component in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.