Caulerpa lentillifera Polysaccharides-Rich Extract Reduces Oxidative Stress and Proinflammatory Cytokines Levels Associated with Male Reproductive Functions in Diabetic Mice

Review of the pharmacological properties of marine macroalgae used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world, with 70% of its territory covered by oceans that are rich in various types of biological resources. Indonesia's biodiversity has made it possible to develop natural medicine. Marine algae have enormous potential, but the types of marine algae used still need to be more varied. Research on the pharmacology of marine macroalgae has been conducted in Indonesia, but studies on such topic related to diabetes mellitus (DM) still need to be completed. This study provides a comprehensive dataset of pharmacological anti-diabetic potential of marine macroalgae used for managing DM and reports on preclinical trials that provide pharmacological evidence. Data on the Indonesian marine macroalgae used to lower blood glucose were obtained from online sources. The bioactive chemicals of marine macroalgae have been found efficient at blocking several diabetes enzymes in in-vivo and in-vitro studies, and such chemicals have anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antioxidant, and other therapeutic benefits. The Google Scholar was used to search for the pharmacological literature with the keywords marine AND macroalgae AND diabetes AND Indonesia. Pharmacological research on the anti-diabetic activity of marine macroalgae has been carried out on five major Indonesian islands, including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi, and Papua, which encompassed 12 provinces: Southwest Papua, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Riau Archipelago, Banten, West Java, North Sulawesi, East Java, Yogyakarta, Maluku, Jakarta, and Bengkulu. Articles on preclinical tests (in vitro and in vivo) were also used for the phytochemical problem section. The results briefly describe which class of algae has been widely used in Indonesia as an anti-diabetic. The findings of this research can be utilized to help find DM treatment drugs based on natural resources from marine macroalgae.

Sulfated polysaccharides from Caulerpa lentillifera: Optimizing the process of extraction, structural characteristics, antioxidant capabilities, and anti-glycation properties

The polysaccharides found in Caulerpa lentillifera (sea grape algae) are potentially an important bioactive resource. This study makes use of RSM (response surface methodology) to determine the optimal conditions for the extraction of valuable SGP (sea grape polysaccharides). The findings indicated that a water/raw material ratio of 10:1 mL/g, temperature of 90 °C, and extraction time of 45 min would maximize the yield, with experimentation achieving a yield of 21.576 %. After undergoing purification through DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephacryl S-100 column chromatography, three distinct fractions were obtained, namely SGP11, SGP21, and SGP31, each possessing average molecular weights of 38.24 kDa, 30.13 kDa, and 30.65 kDa, respectively. Following characterization, the fractions were shown to comprise glucose, galacturonic acid, xylose, and mannose, while the sulfate content was in the range of 12.2-21.8 %. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) it was possible to confirm with absolute certainty the sulfate polysaccharide attributes of SGP11, SGP21, and SGP31. NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) findings made it clear that SGP11 exhibited α-glycosidic configurations, while the configurations of SGP21 and SGP31 were instead β-glycosidic. The in vitro antioxidant assays which were conducted revealed that each of the fractions was able to demonstrate detectable scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cations. All fractions were also found to exhibit the capacity to scavenge NO radicals in a dose-dependent manner. SGP11, SGP21, and SGP31 were also able to display cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) against the human adenocarcinoma colon (Caco-2) cell line when oxidative damage was induced. The concentration levels were found to govern the extent of such activity. Moreover, purified SGP were found to exert strong inhibitory effects upon glycation, with the responses dependent upon dosage, thus confirming the potential for SGP to find a role as a natural resource for the production of polysaccharide-based antioxidant drugs, or products to promote improved health.

Potential role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in testicular dysfunction following co-administration of alcohol and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in diabetic rats: an immunohistochemistry study

Diabetes, alcohol abuse, and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) use have been reported to cause multi-organ complications via induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, these are the most common factors implicated in male reproductive dysfunctions. This study evaluated testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and germ cell proliferation in diabetic rats receiving alcohol or cART and their combination. Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups, each consisting of six rats; control, diabetic only (DM), diabetic treated with alcohol (DM + A), diabetic treated with cART (DM + cART), and diabetic treated with both alcohol and cART (DM + A + cART). After 90 days of treatment, the rats were terminated, and the testes were extracted and processed for immunohistochemistry analysis for oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and cell proliferation marker. In comparison to the control, oxidative stress markers, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) increased significantly in all treated groups. Expression of testicular proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α was upregulated in all treated groups, but interleukin-6 was upregulated in DM, DM + cART, and DM + A + cART treated groups and was downregulated in the DM + A treated group. All treated animal groups showed an upregulation of apoptotic marker (caspase 3) and a downregulation of proliferation marker (Ki-67). However, Ki-67 staining intensity significantly increased in treated animals compared to the control. These findings suggest that diabetes, alcohol abuse, cART use, and their combination via iNOS activity upregulation can induce inflammation and oxidative stress in testicular tissue, stimulating germ cell apoptosis and proliferation inhibition leading to failure of spermatogenesis.

Preparation, Characterization, and Anti-Adhesive Activity of Sulfate Polysaccharide from Caulerpa lentillifera against Helicobacter pylori

In the gastric mucosa, chronic inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori infection promotes gastrocarcinogenesis. Polysaccharides of Caulerpa lentillifera are well-characterized by broad antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory potentials. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the low molecular sulfate polysaccharides of C. lentillifera (CLCP) exhibit any anti-adhesive activity against H. pylori. After a hot water extraction and purification process, two purified polysaccharide fractions (CLCP-1 and CLCP2) were studied based on structural characterization and bioactivity determination. The results implied that except for the molar ratio, CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 contain high sulfate, mannose, galactose, xylose, glucose levels, and low protein levels. The molecular weight and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) assays confirmed that CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 are sulfate polysaccharides with an average molecular weight (Mw) of 963.15 and 648.42 kDa, respectively. In addition, CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 exhibited stronger antibacterial activity against H. pylori. CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 could significantly promote macrophage proliferation and decrease the production of nitric oxide (NO) through downregulated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Meanwhile, CLCP-1 and CLCP-2 in this study showed efficiently protected gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells against H. pylori with the inhibition of the IL-8/NF-κB axis. These findings suggested the effect of Caulerpa lentillifera polysaccharides on H. pylori adhesion, a potential supply of nutrients for eradication therapy through the reduction of cell count and inflammation.

A Review on Nutrients, Phytochemicals, and Health Benefits of Green Seaweed, Caulerpa lentillifera

Caulerpa lentillifera is a type of green seaweed widely consumed as a fresh vegetable, specifically in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, this green seaweed has recently gained popularity in the food sector. Over the last two decades, many studies have reported that C. lentillifera is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds that contribute many health benefits. On the other hand, there is currently hardly any article dedicated specifically to C. lentillifera regarding nutritional composition and recent advancements in its potential health benefits. Hence, this study will summarise the findings on the nutritional content of C. lentillifera and compile recently discovered beneficial properties throughout the past decade. From the data compiled in this review paper, it can be concluded that the nutrient and phytochemical profile of C. lentillifera differs from one region to another depending on various external factors. As a result, this paper will offer researchers the groundwork to develop food products based on C. lentillifera. The authors of this paper are hopeful that a more systematic review could be done in the future as currently, existing data is still scarce.

The effect of Caulerpa sertularioides extract on bull sperm freezablity and subsequent embryo development

Artificial insemination is a valuable and essential tool in genetic improvement programs, and its success requires proper semen collection, freezing, and thawing procedures. Nowadays, despite applying of advanced protocols for semen cryopreservation, post-thawing sperm quantitative and qualitative parameters are not satisfactorily comparable to fresh sperm. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of an alcoholic extract of Caulerpa sertolarioides alga into the tris-egg yolk-based Simmental bull sperm freezing media. The pooled semen samples were divided into five groups, of which four were supplemented with 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm alga extract and one allocated as a control. Total motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, apoptosis, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of sperm were measured. The frozen sperm from each group were used for IVF on the slaughterhouse-derived oocytes. Fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were assessed for all groups. Total motility, progressive motility, and velocity curvilinear (VCL) parameters were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in group 1000 ppm than the control group. Velocity in a straight path (VSL) was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in all treatment groups except in 500 ppm compared to the control group. Average path velocity (VAP) was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in 1000 and 1500 ppm groups than in the control group. Straightness (STR) showed a higher value (p ≤ 0.05) in 1000 and 2000 ppm than the control group. Groups 500 and 1000 ppm showed more viable sperm than the control group (p ≤ 0.05). DNA damage was lower (p ≤ 0.05) in group 1000 ppm than in the control group. HOST was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in all groups than in the control group. SOD, GPx, and TAC were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in 1000 ppm than the control and all other groups. Apoptosis was not significantly different among the treatment and control groups. In conclusion, supplementation of alcoholic extract of Caulerpa sertularioides into the Simmental bull freezing extender ameliorated the sperm parameters after the freeze-thawing process. Moreover, the results of this study indicated that the best dose to achieve the antioxidant properties of the alga extract in Simmental bull sperm freezing media was 1000 ppm. It was also evident that 1000 ppm alga extract supplementation into the bull sperm improved fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst rates.

Structural characterization and SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity of a sulfated polysaccharide from Caulerpa lentillifera

Caulerpa lentillifera (Bryopsidophyceae, Chlorophyta) is an edible seaweed attracting great attention for its expansion of farming scale and increasing consumption in these years. In the present study, a sulfated polysaccharide (CLSP-2) was isolated and separated from C. lentillifera, and its chemical structure was elucidated by a series of chemical and spectroscopic methods. Among these methods, mild acid hydrolysis and photocatalytic degradation were applied to release mono- and oligo-saccharide fragments which were further identified by HPLC-MSⁿ analysis, affording the information of the sugar sequences and the sulfate substitution in CLSP-2. Results indicated that the backbone of CLSP-2 was constructed of →6)-β-Manp-(1→ with sulfated branches at C2, which were comprised of prevalent →3)-β-Galp4S-(1→, →3)-β-Galp2,4S-(1→, and minor Xyl. In addition, the virus neutralization assay revealed that CLSP-2 could effectively protect HeLa cells against SARS-CoV-2 infection with an IC₅₀ of 48.48 μg/mL. Hence, the present study suggests CLSP-2 as a promising agent against SARS-CoV-2.