Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida
New Australian research has extended the understanding of fucoidan and inflammation, in addition to identifying a potential future role for fucoidan in supporting brain health.
Fucoidans, polysaccharides found naturally in brown seaweeds, have been extensively studied for their wide range of bioactive properties, including their potential to support inflammation-related conditions. A recent study investigated the effects of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan supplementation on pro-inflammatory cytokines in the skeletal muscle, small intestine and hypothalamus in mice, as well as plasma cytokine levels. Proteomic characterisation of brain tissue was also undertaken to assess the impact of the fucoidan on neuronal protein expression.
Over a 10-week period, mice were fed either a standard chow or high fat diet, with or without high purity Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan produced by Marinova Pty Ltd.
Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan supplementation was shown to significantly reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lower plasma cytokines in mice fed the high fat diet. Proteomic analysis showed that fucoidan modulated proteins involved in oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter regulation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Interestingly, in mice fed the standard chow diet, fucoidan increased the abundance of proteins associated with immune response and innate immunity without altering inflammatory markers.
Marinova’s Scientific Affairs Director and co-author of the paper, Dr Corinna Dwan, said, “These findings suggest Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan can modulate stress-response pathways in a diet-dependent manner. They also highlight the neuroprotective potential of fucoidan in brain health, especially under diet-related stress.”
The full paper, ‘Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan in vivo – A proteomic investigation,’ was published in Marine Drugs.