Dietary Supplementation with the Red Seaweed Porphyra umbilicalis Protects against DNA Damage and Pre-Malignant Dysplastic Skin Lesions in HPV-Transgenic Mice

Abstract

Some diet profiles are associated with the risk of developing cancer; however, some nutrients show protective effects. Porphyra umbilicalis is widely consumed, having a balanced nutritional profile; however, its potential for cancer chemoprevention still needs comprehensive studies. In this study, we incorporated P. umbilicalis into the diet of mice transgenic for the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), which spontaneously develop pre-malignant and malignant lesions, and determined whether this seaweed was able to block lesion development. Forty-four 20-week-old HPV+/− and HPV−/− mice were fed either a base diet or a diet supplemented with 10% seaweed. At the end of the study, skin samples were examined to classify HPV16-induced lesions. The liver was also screened for potential toxic effects of the seaweed. Blood was used to study toxicological parameters and to perform comet and micronucleus genotoxicity tests. P. umbilicalis significantly reduced the incidence of pre-malignant dysplastic lesions, completely abrogating them in the chest skin. These results suggest that P. umbilicalis dietary supplementation has the potential to block the development of pre-malignant skin lesions and indicate its antigenotoxic activity against HPV-induced DNA damage. Further studies are needed to establish the seaweed as a functional food and clarify the mechanisms whereby this seaweed blocks multistep carcinogenesis induced by HPV.

Potential Antiviral Properties of Industrially Important Marine Algal Polysaccharides and Their Significance in Fighting a Future Viral Pandemic

“…Porphyra umbilicalis incorporated diets in human papillomavirus Type 16 (HPV16), infected transgenic mice are tested for checking its malignancy development (multistep carcinogenesis) induced by HPV. From the study, the P. umbilicalis significantly blocked the development of pre-malignant skin lesions and indicate its antigenotoxic activity against HPV-induced DNA damage [56].…”

Are Bioactive Molecules from Seaweeds a Novel and Challenging Option for the Prevention of HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer Therapy?—A Review

“…In the literature, there is a lack of studies regarding the effects of seaweeds bioactive molecules on premalignant dysplastic lesions. We found only one study conducted by Santos et al [ 83 ], which reported the effects of Porphyra umbilicalis on HPV-transgenic mice with pre-malignant dysplastic skin lesions. This seaweed was incorporated into the diet of HPV 16-infected mice, which have developed pre-malignant and malignant lesions, in order to determine whether this product can block the development of these lesions.…”

“…This seaweed was incorporated into the diet of HPV 16-infected mice, which have developed pre-malignant and malignant lesions, in order to determine whether this product can block the development of these lesions. After the follow-up period, the investigators reported that Porphyra umbilicalis blocked the development of pre-malignant lesions and exerted antigenotoxic activity against HPV-induced DNA damage [ 83 ].…”

Marine-Derived Penicillium purpurogenum Reduces Tumor Size and Ameliorates Inflammation in an Erlich Mice Model

“…New drugs are being developed from secondary metabolites to discover less toxic and more effective compounds compared to traditional cancer therapies [13]. Some natural products have also become important nutraceuticals with cancer chemopreventive properties [14,15].…”