Powerful seaweed extract: Marinova’s fucoidan ingredient may tackle cancer cells

27 Feb 2019 --- Research has uncovered new biological pathways by which the microalgae compound fucoidan could tackle cancer cells. A new in vitro study conducted at the University of Tasmania, Australia, used Maritech fucoidan produced by Australian biotechnology company Marinova. The findings showed that fucoidan can limit cancer cells in their ability to make proteins, utilize energy and repair damage to themselves. Marinova highlights the seaweed-derived bioactive extract’s potential as an adjunct to cancer treatment.

The use of fucoidan in cancer treatment has a long-standing history, according to Marinova, particularly in integrative oncology. The extract is administered to cancer patients in supplement and beverage applications across several Asian countries, according to the company. 

“With the findings that fucoidan acts to halt cancer cells but not normal healthy cells, this research adds weight to the safety of using fucoidan as a complementary cancer therapy,” Claire Smoorenburg, Marketing and Communications Manager at Marinova, tells NutritionInsight.

Fucoidan is a sulfated fucose-rich polysaccharide derived from brown macroalgae, touted as having anti-cancer effects by previous studies. Additional preclinical animal studies and in vitro research have shown that it can reduce tumor growth and enhance the effects of chemotherapy. However, research hasn’t yet pinpointed how exactly fucoidan works in combating cancer cells. The new study sought to identify the cellular pathways influenced by the compound.

The drug-gene interactions of fucoidan were assessed by a systematic screening of an entire set of 4,733 gene deletion strains. Some of the findings were confirmed using cell cycle analysis and DNA damage detection in non-immortalized human dermal fibroblasts and colon cancer cells.

The researchers identified a total of 292 genes whose products are potentially involved in the cellular response to fucoidan. The extract, according to the research, positively affected a number of anti-cancer pathways, such as DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, RNA metabolism and protein synthesis. Importantly, the research also showed that Maritech fucoidan works selectively against cancer cells but not against normal, healthy cells that were used as a control.

“The results demonstrate the effects of fucoidan in diverse cellular processes in eukaryotic cells and further our understanding about the inhibitory effect of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan on the growth of human cancer cells,” the study authors conclude.

Dr Helen Fitton Marinova Chief ScientistMarinova Chief Scientist, Dr. Helen Fitton, explains that this was the first study to screen fucoidan against a gene library to investigate all possible pathways of action.

“This research has allowed for a more complete picture of how fucoidan delivers its anti-cancer effects. These findings provide new insight for further research and the development of new complementary therapies,” she notes.

The full paper Pathway Analysis of Fucoidan Activity Using a Yeast Gene Deletion Library Screen, has been published in Marine Drugs.

Going forward, Marinova seeks to further explore integrative oncology and continue its work in the gut health space. Its Maritech fucoidan ingredient was previously found as able to inhibit the production of key pro-inflammatory biomarkers that are clinically relevant in acute and chronic gut condition.

“Gut health continues to be a major focus area of our research. Marinova has a number of studies currently underway, including a clinical gut microbiome study and further gut health R&D planned in 2019 and beyond,” Smoorenburg concludes.

Previously, Marinova’s Maritech fucoidan extracts gained novel foods status in the EU. Extracted from Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus seaweed, these bioactive marine ingredients mark the first fucoidans to receive such regulatory approval. The official approval notice was issued by the Superior Health Council of Belgium, making Maritech fucoidans the only fucoidan ingredients with global regulatory acceptance.

The ingredient additionally holds potential as a microencapsulation membrane in supplement delivery forms. Previously, Australian researchers discovered a new technique to significantly reduce oxidation in microencapsulated fish oils by using fucoidan seaweed. The compound’s potential in microencapsulation may revolutionize the delivery of fish oils, as well as other dietary supplements, as it overcomes fish oil’s susceptibility to oxidation during production and storage.