Prophylactic administration of fucoidan represses cancer metastasis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in Lewis tumor-bearing mice.

Fucoidan, a heparin-like sulfated polysaccharide, is rich in brown algae. It has a wide assortment of protective activities against cancer, for example, induction of hepatocellular carcinoma senescence, induction of human breast and colon carcinoma apoptosis, and impediment of lung cancer cells migration and invasion. However, the anti-metastatic mechanism that fucoidan exploits remains elusive.

Multiple complexes of long aliphatic N-acyltransferases lead to synthesis of 2,6-diacylated/2-acyl-substituted glycopeptide antibiotics, effectively killing vancomycin-resistant enterococcus.

Teicoplanin A2-2 (Tei)/A40926 is the last-line antibiotic to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacterial infections, e.g., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE).

Prevention of human enterovirus 71 infection by kappa carrageenan.

Enterovirus 71 (EV 71), the newest member of Enteroviridae, is notorious for its etiological role in epidemics of the hand-foot-and-mouth disease, particularly in association with fatal neurological complications in young children. Searching for new and more effective agents against EV 71 infections has never relented as corresponding vaccines or antiviral drugs remain unavailable. Sulfated polysaccharides from seaweed are known to possess a broad range of biological activities across anti-virus, anti-tumor, immunomodulation, anti-coagulation, etc.

Inhibition of Japanese encephalitis virus infection by the sulfated polysaccharide extracts from Ulva lactuca.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a neurotropic flavivirus, is one of the major causes of acute encephalitis in humans. After infection, inflammatory reactions and neurological diseases often develop. Still there are no effective drugs available against virus infection.

Laser-induced carotid artery injury model in the rat for therapeutic agent screening.

The aims of this study were to establish a rat model of carotid artery injury and to evaluate its suitability for evaluating therapeutic agents active against endothelial proliferation. Wistar-Kyoto rats were injected intravenously with the photochemically reactive dyes rose bengal or Evans blue, and the carotid artery was then focally irradiated with laser light of the appropriate wavelength. Histological sections of the carotid artery were analyzed to determine the appropriate parameters for this model.

Effects of natto extract on endothelial injury in a rat model.

Vascular endothelial damage has been found to be associated with thrombus formation, which is considered to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A diet of natto leads to a low prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of natto extract on vascular endothelia damage with exposure to laser irradiation.