Growth-inhibitory effect of a fucoidan from brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida on Plasmodium parasites

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the inhibitory effects of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide isolated from the edible brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida, on the growth of Plasmodium parasites. In order to assess the anti-malarial activity of fucoidan, growth inhibition activities were evaluated using cultured Plasmodium falciparum parasites in vitro and on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice in vivo. Fucoidan significantly inhibited the invasion of erythrocytes by P. falciparum merozoites, and its 50% inhibition concentration was similar to those for the chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum 3D7 strain and the chloroquine-resistant K1 strain. Four-day suppressive testing in P. berghei-infected mice with fucoidan resulted in a 37% suppressive effect versus the control group and a delay in death associated with anemia (P < 0.05). In addition, fucoidans had no toxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells. These findings indicate that fucoidans from the Korean brown algae U. pinnatifida inhibits the invasion of Plasmodium merozoites into erythrocytes in vitro and in vivo.

Therapies from Fucoidan; Multifunctional Marine Polymers

“…Malaria leads to severe anemia and cycles of fever as the parasite takes hold. Fucoidan is one agent that shows some promise as an inhibitory agent for Plasmodium infection in vitro and in mouse models [112]. Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan significantly inhibited the invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites.…”

Recent developments in the application of seaweeds or seaweed extracts as a means for enhancing the safety and quality attributes of foods

“…Among the marine organisms, marine macroalgae or seaweed represents one of the richest sources of natural antioxidants and antimicrobials (Barrow & Shahidi, 2008;Chen, Lim, Sohn, Choi, & Han, 2009;Cox et al, 2010;Rupérez, Ahrazem, & Leal, 2002;Taskin, Ozturk, Taskin, & Kurt, 2007). They are also an excellent source of vitamins such as A, B l , B 12 , C, D and E, riboflavin, niacin, pantothanic acid, folic acid as well as minerals such as Ca, P, Na, K and I (Dhargalkar & Pereira, 2005).…”

The curative effect of fucoidan on visceral leishmaniasis is mediated by activation of MAP kinases through specific protein kinase C isoforms

“…Accumulating evidence suggests that fucoidan exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects including anti-thrombotic, anti-malarial and immunomodulatory activities. [14][15][16] The immunomodulatory effects of fucoidan may be associated with the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines along with the generation of NO and ROS. 17,18 Our previous study has established fucoidan as a novel antileishmanial agent.…”