Combination of marine bioactive compounds and extracts for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases

Searching for Novel Sources of Hydrogen Sulfide Donors: Chemical Profiling of Polycarpa aurata Extract and Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a signaling molecule endogenously produced within mammals' cells that plays an important role in inflammation, exerting anti-inflammatory effects. In this view, the research has shown a growing interest in identifying natural H2S donors. Herein, for the first time, the potential of marine extract as a source of H2S-releasing agents has been explored. Different fractions obtained by the Indonesian ascidian Polycarpa aurata were evaluated for their ability to release H2S in solution. The main components of the most active fraction were then characterized by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and NMR spectroscopy. The ability of this fraction to release H2S was evaluated in a cell-free assay and J774 macrophages by a fluorimetric method, and its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by using carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema. The anti-inflammatory effects were assessed by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), coupled with a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) and IL-6 levels. Thus, this study defines the first example of a marine source able to inhibit inflammatory responses in vivo through the release of H2S.

Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Extract on Adipocyte Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Cells and Lipid Accumulation in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Flavonoids and phenolic acid are two of the rich polyphenols found in cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). The effects of cinnamon extract on the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells and prohibitory lipid accumulation in male mice fed a high-fat diet were examined. Upon treating 3T3-L1 cells with cinnamon for 3 days, the cinnamon inhibited lipid accumulation and increased gene expression levels, such as those of adiponectin and leptin. In in vivo experiments, mice were randomized into four groups after a one-week acclimation period, as follows: normal diet, normal diet + 1% cinnamon extract, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet + 1% cinnamon extract. After 14 weeks of supplementation, we found that cinnamon extract increased the expression of lipolysis-related proteins, such as AMPK, p-ACC, and CPT-1, and reduced the expression of lipid-synthesis-related proteins, such as SREBP-1c and FAS, in liver tissue. Our results show that cinnamon extract may exhibit anti-obesity effects via the inhibition of lipid synthesis and adipogenesis and the induction of lipolysis in both 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells and mice fed a high-fat diet. Accordingly, cinnamon extract may have potential anti-obesity effects.

Phytochemical Constituents, Antimicrobial Properties and Bioactivity of Marine Red Seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and Seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata)

The present work was performed to evaluate the levels of phytochemical constituents and the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of marine red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata). Quantitative phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against five potential pathogenic bacteria was investigated. In each case, we found the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, glycosides, steroids, carbohydrates and ashes. Alkaloids were only found in K. alvarezii, though they were not found in C. serrulata. The antimicrobial properties of both K. alvarezii and C. serrulata chloroform extracts were found to be antagonistically effective against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and the Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi and Klebsiella pneumoniae. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 94 bioactive compounds in K. alvarezii and 104 bioactive compounds in C. serrulata, including phenol, decane, dodecane, hexadecane, vanillin, heptadecane, diphenylamine, benzophenone, octadecanoic acid, dotriaconate, benzene, phytol, butanoic acid and 2-hydroxyl-ethyl ether, which all played important roles in antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Thus, in view of the results, both K. alvarezii and C. serrulata could be considered to be sources of ingredients with appreciable nutritional and medicinal value.