Marinova Newsletter

Fucoidan in the headlines

Around the world, research into the bioactivity of fucoidan continues at a rapid pace. Below are summaries of three very recent research publications demonstrating some specific therapeutic benefits of fucoidan.

Fucoidan identified as an alternative to cortisone for allergic dermatitis

Yang, J. H., Topical Application of Fucoidan Improves Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms in NC/Nga Mice. Phytother Res. 2012. doi:10.1002/ptr.4658 (Epub ahead of print). Iwamoto, K. et al, Fucoidan suppresses IgE production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2011 Aug;303(6):425-31.

Japanese research shows that fucoidan mediated the suppression of IgE in blood cells from patients with atopic dermatitis. The fucoidan formulation was shown to be as effective as dexamethasone, the commonly used corticosteroid treatment, which has significant drawbacks for long term use. This research paves the way for fucoidan to be incorporated into dermatological formulations and other topical products targeting inflammatory skin conditions.

Growing evidence for fucoidan as an anti-cancer agent

Zhang, Z. et al., Fucoidan extract induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells via a mechanism involving the ROS-dependent JNK activation and mitochondria-mediated pathways. PLoS One. 2011: 6(11), e27441.

Building on the extensive body of literature demonstrating the effects of fucoidan on cancer cells, Zhang and colleagues have identified the pathways by which fucoidan induces cell death in cancer cells. It suggests that fucoidan acts through a caspase-independent apoptotic pathway in MCF-7 cancer cells. This activity is identified as taking effect via ROS-mediated MAP kinases and regulation of the Bcl-2 family protein-mediated mitochondrial pathway.

Fucoidan and cardiovascular health

Min, S. K. et al., An antithrombotic fucoidan, unlike heparin, does not prolong bleeding time in a murine arterial thrombosis model: a comparative study of Undaria pinnatifida sporophylls and Fucus vesiculosus. Phytother Res. 2012 May;26(5):752-7.

Fucoidan acts, in several respects, like the mammalian molecule heparin. Heparin is a widely used drug with antithrombotic activity. However, the desired antithrombotic effect is very difficult to achieve without increasing the risk of haemorrhage, as heparin also has pronounced anticoagulant effects. This trial shows that fucoidan achieved the desired antithrombotic effect without any increases in clotting time. These findings are consistent with recent research conducted by Marinova.

Research update

Since 2009, Marinova has participated in a special antiviral program run by the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a unit of the US National Institutes of Health. This in vitro screening program seeks to identify novel compounds with the potential to combat some of the most debilitating respiratory diseases and allergies.

In the latest round of screening at the NIAID, several Maritech^® fucoidan fractions have been shown to inhibit a diverse range of viruses including HSV, influenza and other respiratory viruses. These most recent findings follow on from earlier assessments at the NIAID, which showed that Maritech^® Undaria fucoidan was a potent inhibitor of H1N1 and several other potentially dangerous respiratory viruses.

These results further confirm the potential for fucoidan compounds to be used to control or inhibit a broad range of viral indications. The results also corroberate the work of other researchers who have found that Undaria fucoidan was effective in treating influenza in an animal model as well as being a potent inhibitor of the most common strains of the Herpes virus.

Read further information on this program.

Fucoidan and fish oil…who said one plus one can’t equal three?

As consumer demand for fucoidan and fish oils continues to increase, it pays to consider the benefits of combining these two marine ingredients into one nutritional formulation. Omega 3 fish oils are well known for their ability to assist in healthy cholesterol and lipid balance. Fucoidans and fucoidan-containing seaweeds are also known to reduce serum lipids. So what happens if you were to combine fish oil rich in Omega 3 with fucoidan? Clinical evidence conducted in Japan has shown that combining these two marine ingredients greatly increases the efficacy of the Omega 3! 

The liver contains a number of key enzymes which help to digest lipids. Compared to controls, rats eating fucoidan-rich seaweed exhibited an increase in key liver enzymes by 42%. Rats eating only fish oil exhibited a 154% increase in the key liver enzymes. Most importantly, rats fed a diet of both seaweed and fish oil recorded increases in liver enzymes by up to 381%. This increase in enzymes resulted in much reduced triacylglycerol in both the serum and liver. Cholesterol was also significantly reduced, providing further evidence that a diet including both fish oil and fucoidan may be useful in the prevention of hyperlipidaemia in humans.

References
Murata, M. et al., Hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzyme activities are stimulated in rats fed the brown seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida (wakame). J Nutr. 1999 Jan; 129(1):146-51.

Murata, M. et al., Dietary fish oil and Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) synergistically decrease rat serum and liver triacylglycerol. J Nutr. 2002 Apr; 132(4):742-47.

Nutrilys Del Mar – riding the fucoidan wave with the LAPD

Nutrilys Del Mar is an innovative French company producing and marketing a range of nutritional supplements and personal care formulations based on innovative ingredients sourced from the sea. Founded by Thierry Lerond in 1995, the company has now established a subsidiary in Carlsbad, California providing North American consumers with greater access to its unique range of products.

Nutrilys Del Mar is the result of many years of research and reflects Thierry Lerond’s unique life experiences. Thierry began his career as a rehabilitation specialist for an elite regiment of the French Airborne Special Forces. In this role he began researching nutritional supplements that would best aid patient recovery. Today, Thierry spends considerable time advising military and police specialists on dietary formulations and their roles in enhancing both health and performance. As an elite diver, Thierry recently briefed the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Underwater Dive Unit on the role of nutritional supplementation in high performance diving. Thierry was recognized by the LAPD for his efforts, with members of the Underwater Dive Unit now regular – and very satisfied – customers of Nutrilys Del Mar.

As part of its new range of marine-based products, Nutrilys Del Mar has introduced Wild Organic Seaweed - Fucorich^®, which contains one of Marinova’s organic certified Undaria fucoidan extracts.

Marinova proud supporter of Baan Unrak Children’s Home

Marinova is proud to be supporting this remarkable charity located in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand, near the border with Myanmar (Burma). Baan Unrak was created more than 20 years ago by Didi Ananda Devamala, who moved to the area to help the refugees that were crossing the border to escape the civil unrest in Burma. Like Mother Teresa, she selflessly provided health care, food and support to the displaced refugees. In time she focused her efforts on the many abandoned children, some of whom were found wandering in the jungle.

Today, Baan Unrak provides shelter, food, education and boundless love to nearly 150 children. Some of the older children have gone on to University. All are educated either through home schooling on-site or through local public education. Pre-school age children are looked after by the Baan Unrak staff or their refugee mothers.

Marinova became interested in the work of Baan Unrak through the efforts of Christian Drapeau, Chief Science Officer of California-based Stemtech Health Sciences and one of Baan Unrak’s top supporters. Christian is America’s most prominent advocate for adult stem cell research and the medical and nutritional applications of adult stem cells.

To experience the joy of Baan Unrak first hand and for more information visit www.baanunrak.org

Maritech Synergy – beautiful on the inside, radiant on the outside

The nutricosmetic market continues to grow at a substantial rate. Also known as 'beauty from within' products, nutricosmetics are oral formulations that provide nutritional support to combat oxidative stress, inflammation and other environmentally induced challenges to healthy skin.

Although Japan accounts for the vast majority of the global nutricosmetics market, very significant growth is now starting to be seen in China. With the exception of Europe, consumers in most western markets have traditionally been sceptical of the link between nutritional supplementation and healthier, youthful skin. However, recent scientific evidence coupled with increased consumer awareness of the benefits of better nutrition are now paving the way for renewed growth in western markets, particularly North America. It is also expected that the current surge in demand for certified organic dietary supplements will contribute to greater uptake of nutricosmetics in the medium term. Maritech^® Synergy ticks all the boxes for the anticipated upswing in this market segment.

Maritech^® Synergy is a co-extraction of fucoidan and marine polyphenols that synergistically enhances the anti-ageing and protection properties of the individual actives. This unique active ingredient promotes radiance by helping to reduce tissue damage while protecting against viruses and pathogens. The ingredient’s high antioxidant capacity also helps to protect against the damage of free-radicals. 

Maritech^® Synergy is an Organic, Halal and Kosher certified ingredient that is extracted from hand-harvested Fucus vesiculosus seaweed using environmentally and socially sustainable practices.