Pharma And Health From Ingredients To Pills: Fucoidan Can Alter Gene Expression

In the last few decades，more than 3000 products, derived from marine sources, have been discovered (1). Among the studied Fucoidan has high biocompatibility, lack of toxicity, which has been extensively investigated in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biomedical and cosmeceutical applications, including dietary fibers, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective and anti-coagulant properties, and drug carrier functionality (2-5) providing great potential for designing drugs for biomedical use on the Fucoidan basis.

In a recent double-blind randomized placebo control study published in the March 2020 issue of Marine Drugs journal,  set out to provide a first unbiased insight how one particular Fucoidan preparation from Undaria pinnatifida (UPF) would affect the plasma microRNA (miRNA) composition in healthy individuals. (6)

What is Fucoidan?

Fucoidan is a  natural sulfated polysaccharide molecule, and part of the cell wall of brown algae (7). Fucoidans from different marine sources are typically extracted in a water bath, acid bath, or other methods. The bioactivity of Fucoidans varies according to the extraction method and its molecular weight (Mw) can vary from 10,000 to 100,000 Da depending on the sample source. (8-10)

A polysaccharide from Fucoidan contains a substantial percentage of L-fucose and sulfate groups, which is one of the main structural or chemical factors bound together with sulfate, along with various minerals absorbed from the ocean. Because the molecular structure of Fucoidan is very different, so it has various biological and pharmacological activities that are beneficial to therapeutic applications including digestive health, immune modulation, anti-inflammation, viral inhibition, anti-cancer, stem cell mobilization, cardiovascular health, skin protection, and anti-aging. (11)

For centuries, the brown algae  containing Fucoidan is widely consumed as part of the normal diet in East Asia, particularly China, Japan and Korea for human health. Additionally, Fucoidan,  a water-soluble dietary fiber, is easily dissolved in water, very easy to be absorbed by the human body to use, no toxic effects on the body, rarely causes irritation reactions.

Fucoidan is an innovative marine ingredient and ongoing research continues to reveal the extraordinary health benefits. Now some Fucoidan extracts have obtained ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) status in the U.S. and received ‘novel foods’ approval in the EU. Support for the use of Fucoidan as a disease-assisted diet supplement is increasing.

Clinical Study

Scientists at Australia, have provided breakthrough research and application of Fucoidan – the unique marine ingredient that naturally occurs in brown algae. (12)

In the first worldwide clinical trial of its kind, males, 25–65 of years, with no health conditions were recruited by an Australian research group.  All participators ingested a single dose of 1 gram of Fucoidan extract from the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida/capsule or placebo. Blood samples were taken immediately before the study capsules were ingested and 24 h. later, then microRNAs were isolated and analyzed. The research found that out of 754 microRNAs screened, Fucoidan extract affected a total of 53 microRNAs, among these, 29 different biological pathways and processes were related to cell surface receptor signaling, cancer-related pathways, and 9 additional pathways and processes were identified that have not previously been associated with Fucoidan including renal cancer and circadian rhythm.

This clinical trial, for the first time, has indicated that the unique polysaccharide Fucoidan, derived from brown algae, can alter regulatory microRNA (miRNAs) in healthy individuals. The results support the known inhibitory effects of Fucoidan in inflammation, cancer, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway was also shown to be affected, supporting the previously documented antidepressant effects of Fucoidan.

The study also confirmed previously published findings demonstrating that Fucoidan has beneficial effects on immunity, cancer cells, inflammation, and neurological disorders. Finally, they have concluded that even a single dose of Fucoidan has the potential to alter the gene expression related to fundamental cellular processes. These are very exciting results that further increase the potential for Fucoidan to be utilized in a wider range of treatments such as neurological disease, bacterial and viral infections, and oncology, which appears to be the next commercial opportunities. Meanwhile, subject to regulatory approvals, Fucoidan could be used in the near future as a new-generation therapeutics from marine sources.

What is MicroRNA (miRNAs)?

microRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Until now, 940 members of miRNA family were identified in humans. (13)

Over twenty years since the discovery of the first microRNA (miRNA), the field of miRNA biology has expanded considerably. It has been estimated that microRNAs can modulate up to 60% of protein-coding genes in the human genome at the translational level. (14) Research showed that miRNAs control gene expression by targeting mRNAs based on sequence complementarity and it may mediate both activation and inhibition of transcription of a target gene.

Because of their ubiquitous role in gene regulation, they are involved in many physiological and pathological processes, such as cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis (cell death), fat metabolism, neuronal patterning, and immunity. (15)

miRNAs can be found in serum and other body fluids, which are widely studied as biomarkers and new-generation therapeutics for a large range of health indications including cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, inflammation, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Currently, there is certainly growing interest in miRNA for treatment. Numerous miRNA-based preclinical and clinical studies have been initiated for miRNA-based therapeutics. (16)

It is worth mentioning， the Fucoidan, an innovative marine ingredient utilized in the study was manufactured by Australian biotechnology company Marinova.

References:

1    Nat. Prod. Rep. 2013, 30, 1380–1390

2    Arch. Pharmacal Res. 2017, 40, 1006–1020.

3    Molecules 2016, 21, 551.

4    Mar. Drugs 2010, 8, 2435–2465

5    Mar. Drugs 2016, 14, 42

6    Mar. Drugs 2020, 18, 143

7    Carbohydr. Polym. 2010, 81, 41–48.

8    Mar. Drugs 2011, 9, 2106–2130.

9    Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2010, 46, 193–198.

10 J. Funct Foods 2013, 5, 16–27.

11 Clin Trans Med (2019) 8:15)

12 Mar Drugs. 2020 Feb 28;18(3)

13 Science, 294 (2001), pp. 858-862)

14 Genome Res. 2009 Jan; 19(1):92-105.

15 Nat. Rev. Genet., 5 (2004), pp. 522-531

16 https://clinicaltrials.gov

More Articles by Dr. Lin Zhang:

Phytomedicine Saffron in The Treatment of Depression and It’s Potential Effects

Application of Novel Herbal Plant and Mushroom Extract As Source in Drug Development

Author: Lin Zhang

Date: March 28, 2020

Remark:

Author is not affiliated with the Australian biotechnology company Marinova.

About the Author:

Lin Zhang, M.D., senior director of a health care industry company in the United States. With the experience in clinical medicine, biotechnology, health industry and other fields, he is responsible for the research and development of plant medicine, functional food and health products. He was a clinician and worked for the National Cancer Institute, FDA and the National Cancer Center of Japan for many years.