Molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer bioactivities of seaweed polysaccharides

Nutraceutical benefits of seaweeds and their phytocompounds: a functional approach to disease prevention and management

Seaweeds (SWD), macroalgae or sea vegetables are a diverse group of over 9000 macroscopic and multicellular marine algae taxonomically classified (based on morphology and pigmentation) as green, brown and red algae. With microalgae, SWD represents one of the most researched oceanic resources turned to as treasure troves of bioactive compounds with ethnomedicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and dietetic end-uses for millennia. This review compiles the nutraceutical uses of SWD and their bioactive compounds in nutrition and traditional management of diseases, offering future perspectives on using this group of organisms to improve human life. The review reveals that the nutraceutical application of SWD as nutrient-dense marine foods for treating diseases may be correlated with their inherent biosynthesis and possession of minerals, vitamins, dietary fibres and bioactive compounds. Compounds of algal origin have been validated and found to elicit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging (antioxidant), antiproliferative and antidiabetic activities, among others. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Celastrol inhibits the DPYSL2-JAK/STAT pathway by targeting mito-IDHs mediated mitochondrial metabolism to exhaust breast cancer

Targeting mitochondrial metabolism represents a novel approach in the discovery and development of anti-tumor drugs. Celastrol (Cel) is a naturally-derived small molecule from Tripterygium wilfordii with significant anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor mechanisms involving mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming regulated by Cel in breast cancer (BRCA). We showed that Cel potently inhibited the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and ER+ breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with IC50 values of 2.15 μM and 2.29 μM, respectively. Administration of Cel (5, 2, 2 mg/kg, i.p. for three times after tumor formation) significantly suppressed the tumor growth in syngeneic allograft and CDX breast cancer mouse models. Using activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) technology, we identified mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenases (including IDH2 and IDH3A, collectively referred to as mito-IDHs) as direct targets of Cel. We demonstrated that Cel significantly inhibited mito-IDHs mediated mitochondrial metabolism to induce the accumulation of metabolites α-ketoglutaric acid, and that Cel enhanced the interaction between DPYSL2 with IDH3A while promoting the accumulation of DPYSL2 within mitochondria of BRCA cells resulting in inactivation of JAK/STAT pathway and ultimately induced ferroptosis and apoptosis in cancer cells. Collectively, this study elucidates a pharmacological mechanism by which Cel exerts its tumor-inhibiting effects through modulation of mitochondrial metabolism. Furthermore, it provides compelling evidence supporting Cel as a promising candidate for development as a small-molecule inhibitor targeting mitochondrial metabolism.

Innovative design concepts in tumor-targeting peptide-drug conjugates: Insights into emerging applications

ABSTRACT

Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) have emerged as a promising strategy in cancer therapy, offering improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxicity. Compared to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs), PDCs possess distinct advantages, such as lower immunogenicity, improved tumor penetration, and simpler synthesis. This review discusses the latest advancements in PDC design, including novel peptide targeting mechanisms, linker selection, and formulation improvements for increased stability. Additionally, it explores the expanding clinical applications of PDCs and examines their limitations. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current PDC progress and outline future directions for their role in cancer treatment.

Algae-derived polysaccharides and polysaccharide-based nanoparticles: A natural frontier in breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, with its progression closely tied to the tumor microenvironment. To address the limitations and adverse effects of conventional therapies, algal polysaccharides and their nanoparticle derivatives have emerged as promising and effective anti-breast cancer agents. These bioactive compounds, derived from algae, are distinguished by their natural origin, non-toxicity, and significant medical relevance. Notably, algal polysaccharide-based nanoparticles exhibit advantageous properties such as hydrophilicity, biodegradability, prolonged circulation, and selective accumulation in tumor tissues. This review explores the relationship between the structural attributes of algal polysaccharides and their therapeutic efficacy. It further highlights the advantages of algal polysaccharide-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems, particularly their potential in tumor targeting and overcoming multidrug resistance, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for their application in breast cancer treatment.

Changes in the chemical composition and medicinal effects of black ginseng during processing

Aim of the Study

To study the changes in the chemical composition and medicinal effects of black ginseng during processing.

Materials and Methods

The contents of ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rh1, Rb1, 20-(S)-Rg3, 20-(R)-Rg3, and Rg5 were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the percentage of rare saponins was calculated. Furthermore, changes in the contents of reducing sugars and amino acids (i.e., Maillard reaction (MR) substrates) were measured to assess the relationship between processing and the MR. Compounds were identified using HPLC-MS and their cleavage patterns were analyzed. Gene co-expression network bioinformatics techniques were applied to identify the pharmacological mechanism of black ginseng.

Results

The changes in the physicochemical characteristics of black ginseng during processing were determined based on the MR. Rare saponins accumulated during black ginseng processing. In addition, reducing sugars were produced through polysaccharide pyrolysis and the MR; thus, their content initially increased and then decreased. The amino acid content gradually decreased as the number of evaporation steps increased, indicating that both amino acids and reducing sugars acted as substrates for the MR during black ginseng processing. Thirty-one saponins, 18 sugars, and 58 amino acids were identified based on the MS analysis. Transcriptomics results demonstrated that black ginseng can regulate signaling pathways such as the TNF, IL-17, MAPK, and PI3K-Akt pathways. This finding helps us understand the observed proliferation and differentiation of immune-related cells and positively regulated cell adhesion.

Organoid modeling meets cancers of female reproductive tract

Diseases of the female reproductive system, especially malignant tumors, pose a serious threat to women's health worldwide. One of the key factors limiting research progress in this area is the lack of representative models. Organoid technology, especially tumor organoids, has been increasingly applied in the study of female reproductive system tumors due to their high heterogeneity, close resemblance to the physiological state, easy acquisition and cultivation advantages. They play a significant role in understanding the origin and causes of tumors, drug screening, and personalized treatment and more. This article reviews the organoid models for the female reproductive system, focusing on the cancer research advancements. It discusses the methods for constructing tumor organoids of the female reproductive tract and summarizes the limitations of current research. The aim is to offer a reference for future development and application of these organoid models, contributing to the advancement of anti-tumor drugs and treatment strategies for female reproductive tract cancer patients.

Recognition on pharmacodynamic ingredients of natural products

Natural products (NPs) play an irreplaceable role in the intervention of various diseases and have been considered a critical source of drug development. Many new pharmacodynamic compounds with potential clinical applications have recently been derived from NPs. These compounds range from small molecules to polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, self-assembled nanoparticles, and extracellular vesicles. This review summarizes various active substances found in NPs. The investigation of active substances in NPs can potentiate new drug development and promote the in-depth comprehension of the mechanism of action of NPs that can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Utilizing fish wastewater in aquaponic systems to enhance anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bioactive compounds in Sarcodia suae

Aquaculture wastewater, rich in organic nutrients, is an essential environmental factor. When applied to seaweed cultivation systems, this wastewater holds the potential to notably increase the growth rate and carbon capture of Sarcodia suae. Sarcodia suae has the potential to be a healthy food due to its various biological activities; however, its chemical composition has yet to be completely defined. In this study, we applied a UHPLC-HRMS-based foodomics strategy to determine and classify possible bioactive metabolites in S. suae. From pooled seaweed samples (S. suae cultured in filtered running, FR, aquaponic recirculation, AR systems), we identified 179 and 146 compounds in POS and NEG modes, respectively. These compounds were then classified based on their structures using the Classyfire classification. Results show that S. suae in AR exhibited higher growth performance, and ten upregulated metabolites were determined. We also validated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative bioactivities of some selected compounds. Our study provided important insights into the potential use of fish wastewater in aquaponic systems to profile and produce bioactive compounds in S. suae comprehensively. This has significant implications for the development of sustainable food and the promotion of environmental health.

Antitumor immunostimulatory activity of the traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide on hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy, often associated with compromised immune function in affected patients. This can be attributed to the secretion of specific factors by liver cancer cells, which hinder the immune response and lead to a state of immune suppression. Polysaccharides derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are valuable constituents known for their immunomodulatory properties. This review aims to look into the immunomodulatory effects of TCM polysaccharides on HCC. The immunomodulatory effects of TCM polysaccharides are primarily manifested through the activation of effector T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, NK cells, and macrophages against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) both in vivo and in vitro settings. Furthermore, TCM polysaccharides have demonstrated remarkable adjuvant antitumor immunomodulatory effects on HCC in clinical settings. Therefore, the utilization of TCM polysaccharides holds promising potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents or adjuvants with advantageous immunomodulatory properties for HCC.

Application of hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles for cancer combination therapy

Cancer is a significant public health problem in the world. The treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy. Due to their respective limitations, the treatment effect is often unsatisfactory, laying hidden dangers for metastasis and recurrence. Since their exceptional biocompatibility and excellent targeting capabilities, hyaluronic acid-based biomaterials have generated great interest as drug delivery methods for tumor therapy. Moreover, modified HA can self-assemble into hydrogels or nanoparticles (NPs) for precise drug administration. This article summarizes the application of HA-based NPs in combination therapy. Ultimately, it is anticipated that this research will offer guidance for creating various HA-based NPs utilized in numerous cancer therapies.

Case report: Herbal treatment of neutropenic enterocolitis after chemotherapy for breast cancer

In this case report, a 53-year-old woman was diagnosed with severe NE after receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. The patient with breast cancer was treated with a single cycle of docetaxel (140 mg) + epirubicin (130 mg) + cyclophosphamide (0.9 g) chemotherapy. However, the woman presented with symptoms of fatigue and diarrhea 5 days later accompanied with severe neutropenia according to the routine blood test. The computed tomography examination displayed the thickening and swelling of the colorectal wall. After the diagnosis of NE, the woman received antibiotics and supportive treatment, but her symptoms were not improved. The Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) diagnostic pattern was then designed for the patient. The patient was administered with two CHM decoctions. One decoction contained 24 kinds of herbal materials, and the other one was called pure ginseng decoction. These two decoctions were administered to the patient 2 or 3 times per day to tonify the spleen, nourish Qi and blood, and remove phlegm and damp heat symptoms. After the CHM treatment lasting for 10 days, the symptoms of the patient were improved, and she was discharged. In conclusion, CHM treatment played an indispensable role in curing the woman with chemotherapy-induced NE.

Rehashing Our Insight of Seaweeds as a Potential Source of Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Pharmaceuticals

In a few Southeast Asian nations, seaweeds have been a staple of the cuisine since prehistoric times. Seaweeds are currently becoming more and more popular around the world due to their superior nutritional value and medicinal properties. This is because of rising seaweed production on a global scale and substantial research on their composition and bioactivities over the past 20 years. By reviewing several articles in the literature, this review aimed to provide comprehensive information about the primary and secondary metabolites and various classes of bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, proteins, and essential fatty acids, along with their bioactivities, in a single article. This review also highlights the potential of seaweeds in the development of nutraceuticals, with a particular focus on their ability to enhance human health and overall well-being. In addition, we discuss the challenges and potential opportunities associated with the advancement of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals derived from seaweeds, as well as their incorporation into different industrial sectors. Furthermore, we find that many bioactive constituents found in seaweeds have demonstrated potential in terms of different therapeutic attributes, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other properties. In conclusion, seaweed-based bioactive compounds have a huge potential to play an important role in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sectors. However, future research should pay more attention to developing efficient techniques for the extraction and purification of compounds as well as their toxicity analysis, clinical efficacy, mode of action, and interactions with regular diets.

Anti-Melanogenesis and Anti-Photoaging Effects of the Sulfated Polysaccharides Isolated from the Brown Seaweed Padina boryana

Sulfated polysaccharides isolated from seaweeds are thought of as ideal ingredients in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries. Our previous study isolated and characterized sulfated polysaccharides from Padina boryana. The sulfated polysaccharides of Padina boryana (PBP) were extracted, and the antioxidant activity of PBP was evaluated. The results indicate that PBP possesses antioxidant effects and potential in the cosmetic industry. To further investigate the potential of PBP in cosmetics, the photoprotective and anti-melanogenesis effects of PBP were evaluated. The anti-melanogenesis test results display that PBP reduced the melanin content in the murine melanoma cells stimulated by alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone from 203.7% to 183.64%, 144.63%, and 127.57% at concentrations of 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. The anti-photodamage test results showed that PBP significantly protected skin cells against UVB-stimulated photodamage. PBP suppressed human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT cell) death by inhibiting apoptosis and reducing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The intracellular reactive oxygen species level of HaCaT cells irradiated by UVB was reduced from 192.67% to 181.22%, 170.25%, and 160.48% by 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL PBP, respectively. In addition, PBP remarkably reduced UVB-induced human dermal fibroblast damage by suppressing oxidative damage, inhibiting collagen degradation, and attenuating inflammatory responses. These results indicate that PBP possesses photoprotective and anti-melanogenesis activities and suggest that PBP is a potential ingredient in the cosmetic industry.

Dual identity of tumor-associated macrophage in regulated cell death and oncotherapy

Tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) affects the intrinsic properties of tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), which can stimulate tumor cell proliferation, migration, and genetic instability, and macrophage diversity includes the diversity of tumors with different functional characteristics. Macrophages are now a central drug target in various diseases, especially in the TME, which, as "tumor promoters" and "immunosuppressors", have different responsibilities during tumor development and accompany by significant dynamic alterations in various subpopulations. Remodelling immunosuppression of TME and promotion of pre-existing antitumor immune responses is critical by altering TAM polarization, which is relevant to the efficacy of immunotherapy, and uncovering the exact mechanism of action of TAMs and identifying their specific targets is vital to optimizing current immunotherapies. Hence, this review aims to reveal the triadic interactions of macrophages with programmed death and oncotherapy, and to integrate certain relationships in cancer treatment.

Comparison of the Effects of Enzymolysis Seaweed Powder and Saccharomyces boulardii on Intestinal Health and Microbiota Composition in Kittens

Kittens are prone to intestinal health problems as their intestines are not completely developed. Seaweed is rich in plant polysaccharides and bioactive substances that are highly beneficial to gut health. However, the effects of seaweed on cat gut health have not been assessed. This study compared the effects of dietary supplementation with enzymolysis seaweed powder and Saccharomyces boulardii on the intestinal health of kittens. In total, 30 Ragdoll kittens (age: 6 months; weight: 1.50 ± 0.29 kg) were assigned to three treatment groups for a 4-week feeding trial. The dietary treatment given was as follows: (1) basal diet (CON); (2) CON + enzymolysis seaweed powder (20 g/kg of feed) mixed evenly with the diet (SE); and (3) CON + Saccharomyces boulardii (2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg of feed) mixed evenly with the diet (SB). Compared with the CON and SB groups, dietary supplementation with the enzymolysis seaweed powder improved the immune and antioxidant capacity and also reduced the intestinal permeability and inflammation levels of kittens. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, and Faecalibacterium in the SE group was higher than those in the CON and SB groups (p ≤ 0.05), while the relative abundance of Desulfobacterota, Sutterellaceae, and Erysipelatoclostridium in the SB group was lower than that in the SE group (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, enzymolysis seaweed powder did not alter the level of intestinal SCFAs in kittens. Conclusively, supplementing kitten diet with enzymolysis seaweed powder can promote intestinal health by enhancing the gut barrier function and optimizing the microbiota composition. Our findings provide new perspectives on the application of enzymolysis seaweed powder.

Recent developments on natural polysaccharides as potential anti-gastric cancer substance: Structural feature and bioactivity

Gastric cancer (GC) is being a serious threat to human health. Seeking safer and more effective ingredients for anti-GC is of significance. Increasing natural polysaccharides (NPs) have been demonstrated to possess anti-GC activity. However, the information on anti-GC NPs is scattered. For well-understanding the potential of NPs as anti-GC substances, the recent developments on structure, bioactivity and mechanism of anti-GC NPs were comprehensively reviewed in this article. Meanwhile, the structure-activity relationship was discussed. Recent studies indicated that anti-GC NPs could be mainly divided into glucan and heteropolysaccharide, whose structures affected by sources and protocols of extraction and purification. NPs exhibited anti-GC activities in cell and animal experiments as well as clinical trials, and the mechanisms might be anti-proliferation, inducing apoptosis, anti-metastasis and anti-invasion, inducing autophagy, boosting immunity, anti-angiogenesis, reducing drug resistance, anti-angiogenesis, improving antioxidant level and changing metabolites. Moreover, structural features included molecular weight, functional groups, uronic acid and monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkage type, and degree of branching and conformation might influence the activities. Otherwise, modifications could enhance the anti-GC activity of NPs, and anti-GC NPs could be combinedly used with chemotherapeutic drugs. This review supports the applications of NPs in anti-GC and provides theoretical basis for future study.

Antitumor immunity and therapeutic properties of marine seaweeds-derived extracts in the treatment of cancer

Marine seaweeds are important sources of drugs with several pharmacological characteristics. The present study aims to evaluate the antitumor and antitumor immunological potentials of the extracts from the brown alga Padina pavonica and the red alga Jania rubens, inhibiting the Egyptian marine coasts. Hep-G2 cell lines were used for assessment of the antitumor efficacy of Padina pavonica and Jania rubens extracts in vitro, while Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells were applied to gain more antitumor immunity and antitumor insights of P. pavonica and J. rubens extracts in vivo. In vitro antitumor potentials of P. pavonica and J. rubens extracts were analyzed against human liver cancer Hep-G2 cells by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. In vivo antitumor immunological potentials of P. pavonica and J. rubens extracts at low, high, and prophylactic doses were analyzed by blood counting and flow cytometry in mice challenged with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. In vitro results revealed that P. pavonica and J. rubens extracts caused significant decreases in the number and viability of Hep-G2 cells in a dose-dependent manner as compared to untreated Hep-G2 cells or Cisplatin®-treated Hep-G2 cells. In vivo findings showed that P. pavonica and J. rubens extracts at low, high, and prophylactic doses significantly reduced the number and viability of EAC tumor cells accompanied by increases in EAC apoptosis compared to naïve EAC mouse. Additionally, P. pavonica and J. rubens extracts at low and prophylactic doses remarkably increased both the total WBC count and the relative numbers of lymphocytes and decreased the relative numbers of neutrophils and monocytes. Flow cytometric analysis showed that P. pavonica and J. rubens extracts at the treatment and the prophylactic doses resulted in a significant increase in the phenotypic expressions of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and CD335 cells compared to naïve EAC mouse. Overall, both extracts P. pavonica and J. rubens possess potential antitumor and antitumor immunological effects with less toxicity, opening new approaches for further studies of the chemical and biological mechanisms behind these effects.