Fucoidan and Alginate from the Brown Algae Colpomenia sinuosa and Their Combination with Vitamin C Trigger Apoptosis in Colon Cancer

Exploring the Inhibitory Potential of Sodium Alginate Against Digestive Enzymes Linked to Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major health concerns worldwide, often managed with treatments that have significant limitations and side effects. This study examines the potential of sodium alginates, extracted from Ecklonia radiata and Sargassum elegans, to inhibit digestive enzymes involved in managing these conditions. We chemically characterized the sodium alginates and confirmed their structural integrity using FTIR, NMR, and TGA. The focus was on evaluating their ability to inhibit key digestive enzymes relevant to T2DM (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, sucrase, maltase) and obesity (pancreatic lipase). Enzyme inhibition assays revealed that these sodium alginates moderately inhibit α-glucosidase, maltase, and lipase by up to 43%, while showing limited effects on sucrase and α-amylase. In addition, the sodium alginates did not affect glucose uptake in human colorectal cells (HCT116), indicating they do not impact cellular glucose absorption. In summary, while the observed enzyme inhibition was moderate, the targeted inhibition of α-glucosidase, maltase, and lipase suggests that sodium alginates could be beneficial for managing postprandial hyperglycemia and lipid absorption in the context of T2DM and obesity.

Seaweed-derived laminarin and alginate as potential chemotherapeutical agents: An updated comprehensive review considering cancer treatment

Seaweed-derived bioactive substances such as polysaccharides have proven to be effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents. Laminarin and alginate antioxidant properties aid in the prevention of cancer through dynamic modulation of critical intracellular signaling pathways via apoptosis which produce low cytotoxicity and potential chemotherapeutic effects. Understanding the effects of laminarin and alginate on human cancer cells and their molecular roles in cell death pathways can help to develop a novel chemoprevention strategy. This review emphasizes the importance of apoptosis-modulating laminarin and alginate in a range of malignancies as well as their extraction, molecular structure, and weight. In addition, future nano-formulation enhancements for greater clinical efficacy are discussed. Laminarin and alginate are perfect ingredients because of their distinct physicochemical and biological characteristics and their use-based delivery systems in cancer. The effectiveness of laminarin and alginate against cancer and more preclinical and clinical trials will open up as new chemotherapeutic natural drugs which lead to established as potential cancer drugs.

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Algae-Derived Compounds in Hematological Malignancies

Algae are a rich source of bioactive compounds that have a wide range of beneficial effects on human health and can show significant potential in the treatment of hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. These diseases often pose a therapeutic challenge despite recent advances in treatment (e.g., the use of immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, CD38 monoclonal antibodies, stem cell transplant, and targeted therapy). A considerable number of patients experience relapses or resistance to the applied therapies. Algal compounds, alone or in combination with chemotherapy or other more advanced therapies, have exhibited antitumor and immunomodulatory effects in preclinical studies that may improve disease outcomes. These include the ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit tumor growth, and improve immune responses. However, most of these studies are conducted in vitro, often without in vivo validation or clinical trials. This paper summarizes the current evidence on the in vitro effects of algae extracts and isolated compounds on leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cell lines. In addition, we address the current advances in the application of algae-derived compounds as targeted drug carriers and their synergistic potential against hematologic malignancies.

Novel Carbohydrate Polymer-Based Systems for Precise Drug Delivery in Colon Cancer: Improving Treatment Effectiveness With Intelligent Biodegradable Materials

Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controlled release, carbohydrates polymers are crucial to targeted drug delivery systems, notably for colon cancer treatment. This article examines how carbohydrate polymers like chitosan, pectin, guar gum, alginate, hyaluronic acid, dextran, and chondroitin sulfate are used in improved drug delivery. Modifying these polymers improves drug loading, stability, and release patterns, enhancing chemotherapeutic drugs' therapeutic index. Chitosan nanoparticles are pH-responsive, making them perfect for cancer treatment. Pectin's resistance to gastric enzymes and colonic bacteria makes it a promising colon-specific medication delivery agent. The combination of these polymers with nanotechnology, 3D printing, and AI allows the creation of stimuli-responsive systems that release drugs precisely in response to environmental signals like pH, redox potential, or colon enzymatic activity. The review highlights intelligent delivery system design advances that reduce systemic toxicity, improve treatment efficacy, and improve patient adherence. Carbohydrate polymers will revolutionize colon cancer treatment with personalized and accurate alternatives.

Fucoidan modulates gut microbiota and immunity in Peyer's patches against inflammatory bowel disease

Although fucoidan has potential use as an anti-inflammatory agent, the specific mechanisms by which it influences signaling and immunomodulatory pathways between gut microbiota and Peyer's patches remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of fucoidan in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by examining the effects on gut microbiota and the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Purified fucoidan, which upon characterization revealed structural fragments comprising →3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-α-L-Fucp-(1→, and →3)-α-L-Fucp-(1→ residues with a sulfation at position C2 was used. Treatment of the mice with fucoidan significantly alleviated the symptoms of IBD and restored the diversity of gut microbiota by enhancing the abundance of Bacteroidetes and reducing the proportion of Firmicutes. The administration of fucoidan also elevated levels of short-chain fatty acids while reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ. Most importantly, fucoidan attenuated the expression of integrin α4β7/MAdCAM-1 and CCL25/CCR9, which are involved in homing intestinal lymphocytes within Peyer's patches. These findings indicate that fucoidan is a promising gut microbiota modulator and an anti-inflammatory agent for IBD.

Optimization and characterization of brown seaweed alginate for antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide obtained from brown seaweeds and having advantageous health usefulness, was employed extensively in nutraceutical sectors and the pharmaceutical industry. This research was devoted for optimization of alginate extraction from different brown seaweeds. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used for the optimization of alginate extraction from Padina pavonica by analyzing the influence of temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C), time (60, 120, and 180 min), and alkaline concentration (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %) on extraction yield and uronic acid content. The optimal conditions recorded to maximize the alginate yield and its uronic content were an alkali concentration of 2.5 % and a temperature of 39.95 °C for 102.5 min. The optimized parameters achieved from BBD were used to compare alginate extraction from P. pavonica, Sargassum cinereum, Turbinaria turbinata, and Dictyota dichotoma. FTIR, 1H NMR, and HPLC were used to characterize the extracted alginate. The bioactivity of alginate against free radicals, breast cancer cells (MCF-7), some pathogenic microbes, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses was tested. Under the optimized conditions, alginate was extracted from P. pavonica at a rate of 21.13 ± 2.47 % DW, S. cinereum at 24.08 ± 0.33 % DW g/L, T. turbinata at 17.47 ± 0.26 % DW, and D. dichotoma at a rate of 19.57 ± 3.60 % DW. The alginate extracted from D. dichotoma showed the highest antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral activity.

Extraction Optimization and Anti-Tumor Activity of Polysaccharides from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii polysaccharides (CRPs) are bioactive compounds derived from C. reinhardtii, yet their potential in cancer therapy remains largely unexplored. This study optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions using response surface methodology and proceeded with the isolation and purification of these polysaccharides. The optimal extraction conditions were identified as a sodium hydroxide concentration of 1.5%, ultrasonic power of 200 W, a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:25 g/mL, an ultrasonic treatment time of 10 min, and a water bath duration of 2.5 h, yielding an actual extraction rate of 5.71 ± 0.001%, which closely aligns with the predicted value of 5.639%. Infrared analysis revealed that CRP-1 and CRP-2 are α-pyranose structures containing furoic acid, while CRP-3 and CRP-4 are β-pyranose structures containing furoic acid. Experimental results demonstrated that all four purified polysaccharides inhibited the proliferation of cervical (HeLa) hepatoma (HepG-2) and colon (HCT-116) cancer cells, with CRP-4 showing the most significant inhibitory effect on colon cancer and cervical cancer, achieving inhibition rates of 60.58 ± 0.88% and 40.44 ± 1.44%, respectively, and significantly reducing the migration of HeLa cells. DAPI staining confirmed that the four purified polysaccharides inhibit cell proliferation and migration by inducing apoptosis in HeLa cells. CRP-1 has the most significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of liver cancer cells. This study not only elucidates the potential application of C. reinhardtii polysaccharides in cancer therapy but also provides a scientific basis for their further development and utilization.

Modulation of Apoptotic, Cell Cycle, DNA Repair, and Senescence Pathways by Marine Algae Peptides in Cancer Therapy

Marine algae, encompassing both macroalgae and microalgae, have emerged as a promising and prolific source of bioactive compounds with potent anticancer properties. Despite their significant therapeutic potential, the clinical application of these peptides is hindered by challenges such as poor bioavailability and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. To overcome these limitations, innovative delivery systems, particularly nanocarriers, have been explored. Nanocarriers, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and micelles, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of marine algal peptides, ensuring controlled release and prolonged therapeutic effects. Marine algal peptides encapsulated in nanocarriers significantly enhance bioavailability, ensuring more efficient absorption and utilization in the body. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, indicating that nanocarrier-based delivery systems can significantly improve the pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes of marine algal peptides. This review delves into the diverse anticancer mechanisms of marine algal peptides, which include inducing apoptosis, disrupting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting angiogenesis. Further research focused on optimizing nanocarrier formulations, conducting comprehensive clinical trials, and continued exploration of marine algal peptides holds great promise for developing innovative, effective, and sustainable cancer therapies.

Dietary fiber as a wide pillar of colorectal cancer prevention and adjuvant therapy

Colorectal cancer is the third most incident and second most lethal type of cancer worldwide. Lifestyle and dietary patterns are the key factors for higher disease development risk. The dietary fiber intake from fruits and vegetables, mainly formed by food hydrocolloids, can help to lower the incidence of this type of neoplasia. Different food polysaccharides have applications in anti-tumoral therapy, such as coadjuvant to mainstream drugs, carriage-like properties, or direct influence on tumoral cells. Some classes include inulin, β-glucans, pectins, fucoidans, alginates, mucilages, and gums. Therefore, it is fundamental to discuss colorectal cancer mechanisms and the roles played by different polysaccharides in intestinal health. Genetic, environmental, and immunological modulation of mutated pathways regarding colorectal cancer has been explored before. Microbial diversity, byproduct formation (primarily short-chain fatty acids), inflammatory profile control, and tumoral mutated pathways regulation are thoroughly explored mechanisms by which dietary fiber sources influence a healthy gut ambiance.

Copper-Bearing Metal-Organic Framework with Mucus-Penetrating Function for the Multi-Effective Clearance of Mucosal Colonized Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori colonizes over 50% of people worldwide. Biofilm formation through penetrating gastric mucus and resistance acquired by H. pylori markedly reduces the efficacy of traditional antibiotics. The present triple therapy and bismuth-based quadruple therapy inevitably causes intestinal flora disturbance and fails to address the excessive H. pylori-triggered inflammatory response. Herein, a mucus-permeable therapeutic platform (Cu-MOF@NF) that consists of copper-bearing metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) loaded with nitrogen-doped carbon dots and naturally active polysaccharide fucoidan is developed. The experimental results demonstrate that Cu-MOF@NF can penetrate the mucus layer and hinder H. pylori from adhering on gastric epithelial cells of the stomach. Notably, released Cu2+ can degrade the polysaccharides in the biofilm and interfere with the cyclic growing mode of "bacterioplankton ↔ biofilm", thereby preventing recurrent and persistent infection. Compared with traditional triple therapy, the Cu-MOF@NF not only possesses impressive antibacterial effect (even include multidrug-resistant strains), but also improves the inflammatory microenvironment without disrupting the balance of intestinal flora, providing a more efficient, safe, and antibiotic-free new approach to eradicating H. pylori.

Potential therapeutic target for polysaccharide inhibition of colon cancer progression

In recent years, colon cancer has become one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, posing a great threat to human health. Studies have shown that natural polysaccharides have rich biological activities and medicinal value, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and immune-enhancing effects, especially with potential anti-colon cancer mechanisms. Natural polysaccharides can not only protect and enhance the homeostasis of the intestinal environment but also exert a direct inhibition effect on cancer cells, making it a promising strategy for treating colon cancer. Preliminary clinical experiments have demonstrated that oral administration of low and high doses of citrus pectin polysaccharides can reduce tumor volume in mice by 38% (p < 0.02) and 70% (p < 0.001), respectively. These results are encouraging. However, there are relatively few clinical studies on the effectiveness of polysaccharide therapy for colon cancer, and ensuring the effective bioavailability of polysaccharides in the body remains a challenge. In this article, we elucidate the impact of the physicochemical factors of polysaccharides on their anticancer effects and then reveal the anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of natural polysaccharides on colon cancer. Finally, we emphasize the challenges of using polysaccharides in the treatment of colon cancer and discuss future applications.

Polysaccharides from the Sargassum and Brown Algae Genus: Extraction, Purification, and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications

Brown macroalgae represent one of the most proliferative groups of living organisms in aquatic environments. Due to their abundance, they often cause problems in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, resulting in health problems in humans and the death of various aquatic species. To resolve this, the application of Sargassum has been sought in different research areas, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, since Sargassum is an easy target for study and simple to obtain. In addition, its high content of biocompounds, such as polysaccharides, phenols, and amino acids, among others, has attracted attention. One of the valuable components of brown macroalgae is their polysaccharides, which present interesting bioactivities, such as antiviral, antimicrobial, and antitumoral, among others. There is a wide variety of methods of extraction currently used to obtain these polysaccharides, such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), subcritical water extraction (SCWE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Therefore, this work covers the most current information on the methods of extraction, as well as the purification used to obtain a polysaccharide from Sargassum that is able to be utilized as alginates, fucoidans, and laminarins. In addition, a compilation of bioactivities involving brown algae polysaccharides in in vivo and in vitro studies is also presented, along with challenges in the research and marketing of Sargassum-based products that are commercially available.

Studying the shelf life of butter containing fucoidan, by evaluating sensory and chemical properties

Fucoidan powder was added in amounts of 0.05, 0.1,0.3, and 0.5% to sour cream butter and sensory and chemical properties were tested on their shelf life for 60 days during storage. Peroxide levels initially increased until day 40 of storage and then decreased. Butter samples from the control group had the highest amount of peroxide on day 40 (15.25 ± 1.41 meq/kg butter), while samples treated with fucoidan 0.5% had the lowest amount of peroxide (6.35 ± 0.53 meq/kg butter). The acidity of butter treatments increased during storage (p < .05). Butter samples from the control group had the highest acidity at 60 days of storage (0.40 ± 0.033 mg KOH / g butter), while samples treated with 0.5% fucoidan had the lowest acidity (0.17 ± 0.013 mg KOH / g butter). The treated butter samples showed the highest stability. Fucoidan, as an antioxidant, reduces the taste, odor, and discoloration of butter added with fucoidan during storage because it completely removes odorless tasteless powder, and the free radical chain is involved in oxidation and improves product properties. The results showed that there are no significant changes in the acceptance rate of butter treated with fucoidan during 60 days of storage in the refrigerator (p > .05). The sensory scores of the treated butter showed that the sensory properties during the storage period were similar to the control samples, but on day 40 of storage, they decreased. In general, a concentration of 0.5% fucoidan delays the oxidative process and increases shelf life and is selected as a superior treatment in terms of sensory evaluation, and is introduced as a functional food.

Current and emerging therapeutic approaches for colorectal cancer: A comprehensive review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects 1 in 23 males and 1 in 25 females, making it the third most common cancer. With roughly 608000 deaths worldwide, CRC accounts for 8% of all cancer-related deaths, making it the second most common cause of death due to cancer. Standard and conventional CRC treatments include surgical expurgation for resectable CRC and radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and their combinational regimen for non-resectable CRC. Despite these tactics, nearly half of patients develop incurable recurring CRC. Cancer cells resist the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs in a variety of ways, including drug inactivation, drug influx and efflux modifications, and ATP-binding cassette transporter overexpression. These constraints necessitate the development of new target-specific therapeutic strategies. Emerging therapeutic approaches, such as targeted immune boosting therapies, non-coding RNA-based therapies, probiotics, natural products, oncolytic viral therapies, and biomarker-driven therapies, have shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. We tethered the entire evolutionary trends in the development of CRC treatments in this review and discussed the potential of new therapies and how they might be used in conjunction with conventional treatments as well as their advantages and drawbacks as future medicines.

Antioxidant Activity and Inhibition of Liver Cancer Cells' Growth of Extracts from 14 Marine Macroalgae Species of the Mediterranean Sea

Macroalgae exhibit beneficial bioactivities for human health. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the antioxidant and anticancer potential of 14 macroalgae species' extracts, namely, Gigartina pistillata, Gigartina teedei, Gracilaria gracilis, Gracilaria sp., Gracilaria bursa pastoris, Colpomenia sinuosa, Cystoseira amentacea, Cystoseira barbata, Cystoseira compressa, Sargassum vulgare, Padina pavonica, Codium fragile, Ulva intestinalis, and Ulva rigida, from the Aegean Sea, Greece. The antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS^•+, ^•OH, and O₂^•- radicals' scavenging assays, reducing power (RP), and protection from ROO^•-induced DNA plasmid damage assays. Moreover, macroalgae extracts' total polyphenol contents (TPCs) were assessed. Extracts' inhibition against liver HepG2 cancer cell growth was assessed using the XTT assay. The results showed that G. teedei extract's IC₅₀ was the lowest in DPPH (0.31 ± 0.006 mg/mL), ABTS^•+ (0.02 ± 0.001 mg/mL), ^•OH (0.10 ± 0.007 mg/mL), O₂^•- (0.05 ± 0.003 mg/mL), and DNA plasmid breakage (0.038 ± 0.002 mg/mL) and exhibited the highest RP (RP_0.5AU 0.24 ± 0.019 mg/mL) and TPC (12.53 ± 0.88 mg GAE/g dw). There was also a significant correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC. P. pavonica (IC₅₀ 0.93 ± 0.006 mg/mL) exhibited the highest inhibition against HepG2 cell growth. Conclusively, some of the tested extracts exhibited significant chemopreventive properties, and so they may be used for food products.

Seaweed-Derived Sulfated Polysaccharides; The New Age Chemopreventives: A Comprehensive Review

Seaweed-derived bioactive compounds are regularly employed to treat human diseases. Sulfated polysaccharides are potent chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive medications since it has been discovered. They have exhibited anti-cancer properties by enhancing immunity and driving apoptosis. Through dynamic modulation of critical intracellular signalling pathways, such as control of ROS generation and preservation of essential cell survival and death processes, sulfated polysaccharides' antioxidant and immunomodulatory potentials contribute to their disease-preventive effectiveness. Sulfated polysaccharides provide low cytotoxicity and good efficacy therapeutic outcomes via dynamic modulation of apoptosis in cancer. Understanding how sulfated polysaccharides affect human cancer cells and their molecular involvement in cell death pathways will showcase a new way of chemoprevention. In this review, the significance of apoptosis and autophagy-modulating sulfated polysaccharides has been emphasized, as well as the future direction of enhanced nano-formulation for greater clinical efficacy. Moreover, this review focuses on the recent findings about the possible mechanisms of chemotherapeutic use of sulfated polysaccharides, their potential as anti-cancer drugs, and proposed mechanisms of action to drive apoptosis in diverse malignancies. Because of their unique physicochemical and biological properties, sulfated polysaccharides are ideal for their bioactive ingredients, which can improve function and application in disease. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the physicochemical properties and functionalities of sulfated polysaccharides and the use of sulfated polysaccharide-based delivery systems in functional cancer. Furthermore, the preclinical and clinical trials will reveal the drug's efficacy in cancer.

Characterization and Cytotoxic Activity of Microwave-Assisted Extracted Crude Fucoidans from Different Brown Seaweeds

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is recognized as a green method for extraction of natural products. The current research aimed to explore the MAE for fucoidans extraction from different brown seaweeds, including Fucus vesiculosus, F. spiralis, and Laminaria saccharina. Following several solvent-extraction pre-treatment steps and MAE optimization, the algal biomasses were extracted in a ratio of 1:25 in 0.1 M HCl containing 2 M CaCl2 for 1.0 min. The results showed that L. saccharina's extract was different from the others, regarding the highest sugar content reached 0.47 mg glucose equivalent/mg extract being confirmed by monosaccharide composition analysis and the lowest fucoidan content and sulfation degree at 0.09 mg/mg extract and 0.13, respectively. Moreover, these findings were confirmed by tentative structural elucidation based on Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry which also showed a different spectrum. However, the MAE enhanced melanoidins formation in products, which was confirmed by the intense band at 1420 cm-1. Interestingly, the results of monomeric composition showed that fucoidan extract by MAE from F. vesiculosus belonged to sulfated galactofucans which are known for their potential bioactivities. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of the four fucoidans in concentrations ranging from 4.9 µg/mL to 2500 µg/mL was investigated and correlated with the chemical characterization showing that F. vesiculosus_MAE fucoidan was the most potent and safest. The current research revealed the chemical heterogeneity of fucoidans regarding taxonomical class and used greener extraction method of fucoidans toward the achievement of the UN sustainability goals.

Bibliometric Analysis of Marine Traditional Chinese Medicine in Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China: Development, Differences, and Trends Directions

Background

Marine traditional Chinese medicine (MTCM) is a class of traditional medicine that has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Bibliometric approaches were used in this study to conduct systematic research in order to gain a complete picture of MTCM research around the world.

Methods

CiteSpace and NoteExpress software were utilized as tools to examine the information about authors, sources, keywords, etc. Chinese publications were collected from the CNKI, VIP, and WANFANG databases; English publications were collected from the Web of Science database.

Results

A total of 10080 publications were screened, and the search volume of Chinese literature is greater than that of English literature; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China, and Jeju National University, South Korea, published a greater number of articles than other institutions; the scholars Zhaohui-Zhang and Youjin-Jeon have published the highest number of articles in the world. MTCM of shells was often researched for inorganic elements, and data mining methods were applied frequently; MTCM of animals was commonly used for antifatigue and was taken authenticity identification owing to the scarcity of resources; scholars conducted the most research on MTCM of plants, this category usually for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant purposes, and the mechanisms of action were studied in depth. The Chinese literature has undertaken a multifaceted research study based on the theories of processing and the nature of TCM. In the English literature, in-depth studies have been done from the perspectives of the mechanism of action, the extraction and purification of active substances, etc.

Conclusions

According to the analysis of keywords, different medicinal parts present their own special research directions, and different research hotspots have also emerged under different medical theories. The development of MTCM is moving in the direction of standardization and modernization, thanks to the development of cross-disciplinary research as well as the use of several new technologies and statistical techniques.

Fucoidan/UVC Combined Treatment Exerts Preferential Antiproliferation in Oral Cancer Cells but Not Normal Cells

Combined treatment is a promising anticancer strategy for improving antiproliferation compared with a single treatment but is limited by adverse side effects on normal cells. Fucoidan (FN), a brown-algae-derived polysaccharide safe food ingredient, exhibits preferential function for antiproliferation to oral cancer but not normal cells. Utilizing the preferential antiproliferation, the impacts of FN in regulating ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiation were assessed in oral cancer cells. A combined treatment (UVC/FN) reduced cell viability of oral cancer cells (Ca9-22 and CAL 27) more than single treatments (FN or UVC), i.e., 53.7%/54.6% vs. 71.2%/91.6%, and 89.2%/79.4%, respectively, while the cell viability of UVC/FN treating on non-malignant oral (S–G) was higher than oral cancer cells, ranging from 106.0 to 108.5%. Mechanistically, UVC/FN preferentially generated higher subG1 accumulation and apoptosis-related inductions (annexin V, caspases 3, 8, and 9) in oral cancer cells than single treatments. UVC/FN preferentially generated higher oxidative stress than single treatments, as evidenced by flow cytometry-detecting reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial superoxide, and glutathione. Moreover, UVC/FN preferentially caused more DNA damage (γH2AX and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine) in oral cancer cells than in single treatments. N-acetylcysteine pretreatment validated the oxidative stress effects in these UVC/FN-induced changes. Taken together, FN effectively enhances UVC-triggered antiproliferation to oral cancer cells. UVC/FN provides a promising potential for preferential and synergistic antiproliferation in antioral cancer therapy.

Sulfated Polysaccharide Extracted from the Green Algae Codium bernabei: Physicochemical Characterization and Antioxidant, Anticoagulant and Antitumor Activity

Codium bernabei is a green alga that grows on Chilean coasts. The composition of its structural polysaccharides is still unknown. Hence, the aim of this work is to isolate and characterize the hot water extracted polysaccharide fractions. For this purpose, the water extracts were further precipitated in alcohol (TPs) and acid media (APs), respectively. Both fractions were characterized using different physicochemical techniques such as GC-MS, GPC, FTIR, TGA, and SEM. It is confirmed that the extracted fractions are mainly made of sulfated galactan unit, with a degree of sulfation of 19.3% (TPs) and 17.4% (ATs) and a protein content of 3.5% in APs and 15.6% in TPs. Other neutral sugars such as xylose, glucose, galactose, fucose, mannose, and arabinose were found in a molar ratio (0.05:0.6:1.0:0.02:0.14:0.11) for TPs and (0.05:0.31:1.0:0.03:0.1:0.13) for ATs. The molecular weight of the polysaccharide samples was lower than 20 kDa. Both polysaccharides were thermally stable (Tonset > 190 °C) and showed antioxidant activity according to the ABTS•+ and DPPH tests, where TPs fractions had higher scavenging activity (35%) compared to the APs fractions. The PT and APTTS assays were used to measure the anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide fractions. In general, the PT activity of the TPs and APs was not different from normal plasma values. The exception was the TPs treatment at 1000 µg mL−1 concentration. The APTTS test revealed that clotting time for both polysaccharides was prolonged regarding normal values at 1000 µg mL−1. Finally, the antitumor test in colorectal carcinoma (HTC-116) cell line, breast cancer (MCF-7) and human leukemia (HL-60) cell lines showed the cytotoxic effect of TPs and APs. Those results suggest the potential biotechnological application of sulfate galactan polysaccharides isolated from a Chilean marine resource.

Impacts of Oxidative Stress and PI3K/AKT/mTOR on Metabolism and the Future Direction of Investigating Fucoidan-Modulated Metabolism

The critical factors for regulating cancer metabolism are oxidative stress and phosphoinositide-3-kinase/AKT serine-threonine kinase/mechanistic target of the rapamycin kinase (PI3K/AKT/mTOR). However, the metabolic impacts of oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/mTOR on individual mechanisms such as glycolysis (Warburg effect), pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), fatty acid synthesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle, glutaminolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are complicated. Therefore, this review summarizes the individual and interacting functions of oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/mTOR on metabolism. Moreover, natural products providing oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/mTOR modulating effects have anticancer potential. Using the example of brown algae-derived fucoidan, the roles of oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/mTOR were summarized, although their potential functions within diverse metabolisms were rarely investigated. We propose a potential application that fucoidan may regulate oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling to modulate their associated metabolic regulations. This review sheds light on understanding the impacts of oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/mTOR on metabolism and the future direction of metabolism-based cancer therapy of fucoidan.