As one of the many edible brown algae, Laminaria japonica has seen increased productivity through recent breeding efforts designed to improve commercial cultivation. Fucoidan extracted from Laminaria japonica has been studied for its diverse biological activities. However, brown algae accumulate arsenic (As) during growth, their total arsenic content is relatively higher than that of green […]
The endoplasmic reticulum is an essential organelle for maintaining homeostasis, responsible for the post-translational modification and proper folding of membrane and secretory proteins. However, excessive or sustained endoplasmic reticulum stress is too much for the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) to handle, and cells ultimately undergo apoptosis. It has been reported that apoptosis can lead to […]
The anti-cancer drug treatment known as chemotherapy can induce a range of side effects, including blood toxicity (bone marrow suppression), gastrointestinal issues such as fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, and diarrhea, neurological problems like peripheral neuropathy manifesting as numbness and pain in the hands and feet, allergic responses (hypersensitivity), fatigue, inflammation of the […]
Because triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, it is difficult to treat effectively, and unfortunately, patients with this subtype of breast cancer have the lowest overall survival rates compared with all other breast cancer types. Currently, the treatment of metastatic TNBC is limited […]
Seaweeds are recognized for their high levels of essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and polyunsaturated lipids, along with beneficial compounds that help combat various health issues. This blog post will focus on the seaweed Fucus, specifically to introduce the study, “Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Fucus spp” by Marcelo D Catarino et al. […]
In the United States, the debilitating and progressive neurodegenerative disease known as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) currently impacts the lives of over 5 million individuals. As the proportion of the US population aged 65 years or older increases, the number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias continues to increase annually. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves […]
Hypertensive heart disease is a leading cause of heart failure, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and sudden death, making its treatment crucial. Fucoidan (FO), a natural compound extracted from seaweed, possesses both antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Fucoidan has also been shown to regulate apoptosis. However, it is unclear whether Fucoidan can prevent cardiac hypertrophy. The study, “Fucoidan […]
In today’s society, an overconsumption of fats, especially the unsaturated trans fats, significantly increases the risk of developing lifestyle diseases such as obesity and dyslipidemia. Meanwhile, interest in the anti-obesity and prebiotic properties of seaweed polysaccharides has been steadily growing. The potential of Saccharina japonica polysaccharides as anti-obesity and prebiotic agents is significant, though the […]
Asthma, a chronic condition affecting the airways, is characterized by an increased responsiveness of the airways, inflammation within the airways, and changes in the structure of the airways themselves, all of which contribute to the overall disease process. The cycle of airway inflammation causes damage to the epithelium, changes in the smooth muscle (proliferation or […]
Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, with yearly outbreaks resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, making HuNoV infection a significant global health concern. Despite this, a notable and expanding number of reports are emerging, focusing on the various biological effects that Fucoidans from different species are shown to exert. Fucose-containing […]