In most circumstances, Autophagy promotes tumorigenesis. Cancer upregulates Autophagy. Additionally, the mechanism is reliable on microenvironmental stress, raises growth and aggressiveness, and promotes cancer. However, in some situations, Autophagy suppresses tumorigenesis. This study, in which Fucoidan induces Autophagy to improve cancer treatment, is groundbreaking. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/73941
Hence I would like to share the following research and help you understand the benefits of Fucoidan.
Fucoidan possesses various pharmacologic effects inducing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and as for the anticancer effect, it has been proved to induce apoptosis. According to the study of “Antiproliferative Activity of Fucoidan Was Associated with the Induction of Apoptosis and Autophagy in AGS (Human Gastric Cancer Cell)” by Hyun Soo park et al., was the possibility of the proof mechanism by which Fucoidan exerts its antiproliferative effect in cultured AGS.
The result of measuring cell proliferation by adding Fucoidan to AGS (Human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line) was significantly inhibited by Fucoidan concentration and time-dependent. (Fig. 1)
The evaluation of Fucoidan involves inhibition of expression of anti-apoptotic factors or activation of apoptosis execution factors. We found that Fucoidan induces apoptosis. Furthermore, based on the morphological observation, since Fucoidan treated AGS cells are formed autophagosomes, we discovered that Fucoidan causes Autophagy. (Fig. 2) Based on this evidence, Fucoidan inhibits AGS cell growth by introducing Autophagy and apoptosis, which appears to account for its anti-proliferating activity.
- Reference: Autophagy is a self-degradative process necessary for balancing energy sources at critical times in development and response to nutrient stress. Autophagy also plays a housekeeping role in removing misfolded or aggregated proteins, clearing damaged organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and peroxisomes eliminating intracellular pathogens. On the other hand, cancer can upregulate Autophagy to withstand the microenvironment’s stress and increase growth and aggression, so then Autophagy promotes tumorigenesis.
