The cerebral microcirculation and its glycocalyx, a matrix coating the luminal endothelium, are key regulators of capillary permeability and cerebral …

Fucoidan is a marine polymer extracted from diverse types of brown algae. This polysaccharide showed great potential towards treatment of different ty…

Laminaria japonica (LJ) and Hizikia fusiforme (HF) are brown seaweeds known to have various health-promoting effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-diabetic effects and possible mechanism(s) of LJ and HF by using both in vitro and in vivo models. C2C12 myotubes, mouse-derived skeletal muscle cells, treated with LF or HF extracts were used for the in vitro model, and muscle tissues from C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% LF or HF for 16 weeks were used for the in vivo model. Although both the LF and HF extracts significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity in a dose-dependent manner, the HF extract had a superior α-glucosidase inhibition than the LF extract. In addition, glucose uptake was significantly increased by LJ- and HF-treated groups when compared to the control group. Phosphorylation of protein kinase B and AMP-activated protein kinase was induced by LJ and HF in both the vivo and in vitro skeletal muscle models. Furthermore, LJ and HF significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor-α whereas both extracts increased interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated C2C12 myotubes. Taken together, these findings imply that the brown seaweeds LJ and HF could be useful therapeutic agents to attenuate muscle insulin resistance due to diet-induced obesity and its associated inflammation.

Fucoidan extracted from brown algae has multiple beneficial functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of low-molecular-weight fucoidan (oligo-FO) on renal fibrosis under in vitro and in vivo diabetic conditions, and its molecular mechanisms. Advanced glycation product (AGE)-stimulated rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) and diabetic mice induced by high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and nicotinamide were used. Oligo-FO treatment significantly inhibited anti-high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/RAGE/ anti-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/TGF-β1R/Smad 2/3/fibronectin signaling pathway and HIF-1α activation in AGE-stimulated NRK-52E cells. Conversely, the expression and activity of Sirt-1; the levels of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22), p-AMPK, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); and Nrf2 activation were remarkably increased by oligo-FO in AGE-stimulated cells. However, the above effects of oligo-FO were greatly diminished by inhibiting Sirt-1, HO-1, or GLP-1R activity. Similar changes of these pro-fibrotic genes in the kidney and a marked attenuation of renal injury and dysfunction were observed in oligo-FO-treated diabetic mice. These findings indicated that the inhibitory effects of the oligo-FO on diabetes-evoked renal fibrosis are mediated by suppressing TGF-β1-activated pro-fibrogenic processes via Sirt-1, HO-1, and GLP-1R dependence. Collectively, fucoidan-containing foods or supplements may be potential agents for ameliorating renal diseases due to excessive fibrosis.

The pretreatment of aqueous extract of Aloe vera leaf in rats proved to act as a potential antioxidant which could be implicated toward protection of the integrity of liver of rat against pesticide i...

The aim of this study was to determine whether low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMWF) can reduce TGF-β-mediated pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial fibro…

Low-molecular-weight Fucoidan (Oligo-Fucoidan) is a sulfated polysaccharide that has a variety of biological effects and has also been shown to have beneficial health effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Oligo-Fucoidan ...

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is recognized as a key determinant of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Fucoidan, a sulphated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed, exerts beneficial effects in some nephropathy models. The present study evaluated the inhibitory effect of oligo-fucoidan (800 Da) on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We established a mouse CKD model by right nephrectomy with transient ischemic injury to the left kidney. Six weeks after the surgery, we fed the CKD mice oligo-fucoidan at 10, 20, and 100 mg/kg/d for 6 weeks and found that the oligo-fucoidan doses less than 100 mg/kg/d improved renal function and reduced renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in CKD mice. Oligo-fucoidan also inhibited pressure-induced fibrotic responses and the expression of CD44, β-catenin, and TGF-β in rat renal tubular cells (NRK-52E). CD44 knockdown downregulated the expression of β-catenin and TGF-β in pressure-treated cells. Additional ligands for CD44 reduced the anti-fibrotic effect of oligo-fucoidan in NRK-52E cells. These data suggest that oligo-fucoidan at the particular dose prevents renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a CKD model. The anti-fibrotic effect of oligo-fucoidan may result from interfering with the interaction between CD44 and its extracellular ligands.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is recognized as a key determinant of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Fucoidan, a sulphated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed, exerts beneficial effects in some nephropathy models. The present study evaluated the inhibitory effect of oligo-fucoidan (800 Da) on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We established a mouse CKD model by right nephrectomy with transient ischemic injury to the left kidney. Six weeks after the surgery, we fed the CKD mice oligo-fucoidan at 10, 20, and 100 mg/kg/d for 6 weeks and found that the oligo-fucoidan doses less than 100 mg/kg/d improved renal function and reduced renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in CKD mice. Oligo-fucoidan also inhibited pressure-induced fibrotic responses and the expression of CD44, β-catenin, and TGF-β in rat renal tubular cells (NRK-52E). CD44 knockdown downregulated the expression of β-catenin and TGF-β in pressure-treated cells. Additional ligands for CD44 reduced the anti-fibrotic effect of oligo-fucoidan in NRK-52E cells. These data suggest that oligo-fucoidan at the particular dose prevents renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a CKD model. The anti-fibrotic effect of oligo-fucoidan may result from interfering with the interaction between CD44 and its extracellular ligands.

The fucoidan with high anticancer activity was isolated from brown alga Fucus evanescens. The compound effectively prevented EGF-induced neoplastic cell transformation through inhibition of TOPK/ERK1/2/MSK 1 signaling axis. In vitro studies showed that the fucoidan attenuated mitogen-activated prote …

This work determines the effect nopal consumption at different maturity stages (60, 200, 400, and 600 g) as the only calcium source in bone metabolism. The apparent mineral absorption, the biomarkers of bone metabolism, the bone mineral density at different femoral regions, and crystal properties of the bone were evaluated during the growth stage. The Ca absorption was increased with the rat age in most of the experimental groups, while Mg supplementation decreased intestinal absorption probably due to a saturation process. Intestinal Ca and Mg absorption showed an opposite trend; this result suggests that both ions can compete for vitamin D absorption sites. The percentage of absorption of K was lower in the groups fed with Nopal; nevertheless, due to supplementation, the net absorption was higher than the control group. In all groups, osteocalcin levels decreased with the rat age. Nopal consumption increased osteocalcin levels during the adolescence stage in comparison to the control group. Amino N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen levels increased in puberty and adolescence in all groups compared to the control group. Bone mineral density in different femoral regions was lower in the groups fed with nopal at early maturity stages (N-60 and N-200) than the groups fed with nopal at late maturity stages (N-400 and N-600). The crystal size of hydroxyapatite exhibited changes for all the groups, indicating the inclusion of mono and divalent ions in calcium replacement. On this basis, the nopal at late maturity stage contributed to bone formation.

Laminaria japonica is widely cultivated in East Asia, including South Korea. Fucoidan, a main component of L. japonica, protects neurons from neurological disorders such as ischemia and traumatic brain injury. In the present study, we examined the effects of extract from fermented L. japonica on the reduction of proliferating cells and neuroblasts in mice that were physically (with electric food shock) or psychologically (with visual, auditory and olfactory sensation) stressed with the help of a communication box. Vehicle (distilled water) or fermented L. japonica extract (50 mg/kg) were orally administered to the mice once a day for 21 days. On the 19th day of the treatment, physical and psychological stress was induced by foot shock using a communication box and thereafter for three days. Plasma corticosterone levels were significantly increased after exposure to physical stress and decreased Ki67 positive proliferating cells and doublecortin immunoreactive neuroblasts. In addition, western blot analysis demonstrated that physical stress as well as psychological stress decreased the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the number of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (pCREB) positive nuclei in the dentate gyrus. Fermentation of L. japonica extract significantly increased the contents of reduced sugar and phenolic compounds. Supplementation with fermented L. japonica extract significantly ameliorated the increases of plasma corticosterone revels and decline in the proliferating cells, neuroblasts, and expression of BDNF and pCREB in the physically stressed mice. These results indicate that fermented L. japonica extract has positive effects in ameliorating the physical stress induced reduction in neurogenesis by modulating BDNF and pCREB expression in the dentate gyrus.

Polysaccharides from Laminaria japonica (LJPs) are reported to have various functional properties, but the effects and mechanisms of LJPs on obesity and its related diseases are unclear. This study demonstrated that LJPs prevented diet-induced obesity in a mice model, and improved obesity-related pa …

Polysaccharides from Laminaria japonica (LJPs) are reported to have various functional properties, but the effects and mechanisms of LJPs on obesity a…

SARS-CoV-2 is the pathogen agent of the new corona virus disease that appeared at the end of 2019 in China. There is, currently, no effective treatmen…

Laminaria japonica, one of the most widespread seafood consumed in China and many other nations, has been traditionally utilized as an effective therapeutically active substance for treating weight loss, phlegm elimination, and detumescence for more than 2000 years. Numerous studies have found that

Laminaria japonica polysaccharides (LP) improved serum biochemical index, body weight index, and glucose tolerance in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mice. This beneficial effects of LP could be ...

Disease modification in Parkinson's disease (PD) is an unmet medical need. In the current study, we evaluated trehalose, a safe and well-tolerated disaccharide that has previously demonstrated efficacy in rodent models of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. In a rat model of PD, based on deliv …

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that regulates a cluster of oxidative stress-inducible genes in cells. Here, we aimed to investigate whether trehalose (Tr...

Based on activation of macrophages and vaccine adjuvant activity by aloe polysaccharide or acemannan, we showed that the importance of butyrate and host-micRNA-microbiota interaction in regulation of gut immunity, and butyrate is a chemical factor capable of facilitating induced pluripotent stem cell generation, an important step for the establishment of pluripotency. Furthermore we exhibited three case reports on the beneficial roles of aloe vera juice-successive ingestion as nutritional and medicinal uses to influenza virus and norovirus.

PET imaging using 68Ga-Fucoidan represents a valuable tool for assessing p-selectin activation in vivo discriminating ischemic stroke early after stroke onset.

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common urological cancer, with poor prognosis for advanced/metastatic stages. Various intensive treatments, including radical cystectomy, chemotherapy, immune therapy, and radiotherapy are commonly used for these patients. However, these treatments often cause complications …

Pre-diabetes is a disturbing trend in the population, who are at risk of developing type-two diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the effects use of Aloe vera in different doses on glucose and lipid profile in pre-diabetic subjects.This study ...

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown algae and possesses various beneficial activities, including antioxidant property. Previous s…

The present work aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of a homogeneous Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP61A) on acute kidney …

Aloe vera leaf contains some bioactive compounds that have a strong binding affinity toward estrogen receptor as compared to standard drug tamoxifen. In this study, we have found that the IC50 of Aloe vera leaf extract against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) is 23 µg/mL whic …