Antitumor potential of carrageenans from marine red algae.

Marine algae are abundant and inexhaustive sources of the bioactive compounds with the various benefits for human health. Among these substances an attention is given to the sulfated polysaccharides presented as the complexes of polymer macromolecules with excellent biological features including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory activities. In addition to the aforementioned properties there is a growing number of research results suggesting the bioactive sulfated polysaccharides such as carrageenan, fucoidan, laminarin, and others exert anticancer and antimetastatic properties.

Alkaloids of fascaplysin are effective conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, inhibiting the proliferation of C6 glioma cells and causing their death .

Glioblastoma multiforme is an invasive malignant glial brain tumor with a poor prognosis for patients. The primary reasons that lead to the development of treatment resistance are associated with tumor cells infiltrating the brain parenchyma and the specific properties of tumor stem cells. A crucial research area in medical science is the search for effective agents that are able to act on these targets.

Acute neuroinflammation provokes intracellular acidification in mouse hippocampus.

Background: Maintaining pH levels within the physiological norm is an important component of brain homeostasis. However, in some pathological or physiological conditions, the capacity of the pH regulatory system could be overpowered by various factors resulting in a transient or permanent alteration in pH levels. Such changes are often observed in pathological conditions associated with neuroinflammation.

Cerium binding activity of pectins isolated from the seagrasses Zostera marina and Phyllospadix iwatensis.

Cerium binding activity of three different water soluble pectin compounds of different origin was studied in a batch sorption system. The Langmuir, Freundlich and BET sorption models were adopted to describe the binding reactions between metal ions and pectin molecules. The Langmuir model provided the best fit.

Carrageenans as a new source of drugs with metal binding properties.

Carrageenans are abundant and safe non-starch polysaccharides exerting their biological effects in living organisms. Apart from their known pro-inflammation properties and some pharmacological activity, carrageenans can also strongly bind and hold metal ions. This property can be used for creation of the new drugs for elimination of metals from the body or targeted delivery of these metal ions for healing purposes.

Cerium binding activity of different pectin compounds in aqueous solutions.

Cerium binding activity of different water soluble pectin compounds varying according to their degree of esterification and insoluble calcium pectate beads in aqueous solution was studied in a batch sorption system. The cerium uptake by all pectin compounds was highest within the pH range from 4.0 to 6.

Comparative equilibrium studies of sorption of Pb(II) ions by sodium and calcium alginate.

The absorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by different alginate compounds was studied in a batch sorption system. Water soluble sodium alginate and insoluble calcium alginate beads were investigated. The lead-binding capacity of both alginate compounds was highest within the pH range 6-8.

Equilibrium studies of sorption of lead(II) ions by different pectin compounds.

The adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by different pectin compounds was studied in a batch sorption system. Water-soluble low- and high-esterified pectins and insoluble calcium pectate beads were investigated. The lead-binding capacity of all pectin compounds was highest within the pH range from 7 to 8.

Lead absorption and excretion in rats given insoluble salts of pectin and alginate.

Exposure to environmental lead remains a widespread problem in most industrialized countries. Usage of modern agents purposed for elimination of heavy metals as well as for therapy and prevention of chronic poisoning does frequently result in toxic signs. Dietary nonstarch polysaccharides were suggested to be effective when used for this purpose.

The effects of low-esterified pectin on lead-induced thyroid injury in rats.

The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of low-esterified pectin on lead-induced thyroid injury in rats. Animals were fed 100mg/kg of lead acetate through gavage for 3 weeks. After that, solution containing 50mg/kg of low-esterified pectin was administered through gavage for 2 weeks.