Seaweeds have attracted high interest in recent years due to their chemical and bioactive properties to find new molecules with valuable applications for humankind. Phenolic compounds are the group of metabolites with the most structural variation and the highest content in seaweeds. The most researched seaweed polyphenol class is the phlorotannins, which are specifically synthesized by brown seaweeds, but there are other polyphenolic compounds, such as bromophenols, flavonoids, phenolic terpenoids, and mycosporine-like amino acids. The compounds already discovered and characterized demonstrate a full range of bioactivities and potential future applications in various industrial sectors. This review focuses on the extraction, purification, and future applications of seaweed phenolic compounds based on the bioactive properties described in the literature. It also intends to provide a comprehensive insight into the phenolic compounds in seaweed.

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Please cite this article as: Francisco, V., Figueirinha, A., Neves, B.M., García-Rodríguez, C., Lopes, M.C., Cruz, M.T., Batista, M.T., Cymbopogon citratus as source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs: bio-guided assay using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2010Ethnopharmacology ( ), doi:10.1016Ethnopharmacology ( /j.jep.2010 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Page 1 of 30A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 1 Graphical abstractIn this report it was demonstrated that a lipid-and essential oil-free infusion of Cymbopogon citratus leaves (Cy), as well its polyphenols, have anti-inflammatory properties through inhibition of proinflammatory signaling pathways and nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. These evidences support the use of Cymbopogon citratus in traditional medicine and indicate that it could be a natural source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs. TitleCymbopogon citratus as source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs: bio-guided assay using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of Cymbopogon citratus leaves and their polyphenol-rich fractions (PFs), as well its mechanism of action in murine macrophages. Materials and Methods:A lipid-and essential oil-free infusion of Cy leaves was prepared (Cy extract) and fractionated by column chromatography. Anti-inflammatory properties of Cy extract (1.115 mg/ml) and its PFs, namely phenolic acids (530 µg/ml), flavonoids (97.5 µg/ml) and tannins (78 µg/ml), were investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages as in vitro model. As inflammatory parameters, nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated by Griess reaction, as well as effects on cyclooxygenase (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression and on intracellular signaling pathways activation, which were analyzed by Western blot using specific antibodies. Page 3 of 30A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t Conclusions: Our data provide evidence that support the usage of Cymbopogon citratus leaves extract in traditional medicine, and suggest that Cy, in particular its polyphenolic compounds, could constitute a natural source of a new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs.