Easing inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders
Inflammatory bowel conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are widespread and continue to represent substantial global health burden. Patients frequently suffer from pain, internal bleeding, weight loss and fatigue. For some people, the symptoms are relatively mild, while for others they are debilitating and can lead to life threatening complications. Recent research indicates an increasing prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) cases (Wang et al. 2023).
Fucoidans have been shown to exhibit promising anti-inflammatory properties (Apostolova, 2020, Fitton, 2019). High purity fucoidans produced by Marinova have been previously studied in an animal model of acute colitis with favourable results. Researchers reported significant reductions in cumulative histological disease scores and lowered proinflammatory cytokines (Lean, 2015).
Further insights were recently presented at ASPET2024, hosted by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimentation. High purity fucoidan extracts, produced by Marinova, from Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus were again assessed in an animal model of acute colitis. The oral administration of both fucoidans significantly mitigated weight loss, reduced colon and spleen weight, and improved the Disease Activity Index. Supplementation with fucoidan was shown to reverse a range of histological abnormalities induced by the acute colitis model.
Researchers drew similar conclusions to the Lean 2015 study, suggesting the oral supplementation of fucoidan may assist with the future treatment of IBD.
A poster outlining the preclinical investigation is available within the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.