The effect of polysaccharide extracted from the marine alga Capsosiphon fulvescens on ethanol administration

Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Aug;46(8):2653-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.04.027. Epub 2008 Apr 29.

Abstract

Seaweed extracts have recently been found to have antioxidant and antitumor activities. Capsosiphon fulvescens (Cf) is a green alga and nutrient-dense food source. In a previous study, we extracted polysaccharide from Cf (Cf-PS) and demonstrated its antitumor effect in gastric cancer cells. In this report, we describe the protective effect of Cf-PS against alcohol-induced gastric injury in rats and adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. In vivo assay revealed stomach damage in rats treated with alcohol alone; however, the stomach condition of rats co-treated with Cf-PS and alcohol matched that of the control group. Cf-PS also inhibited alcohol-induced cell death in AGS cells. Compared with alcohol treatment alone, Cf-PS and alcohol co-treatment increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt but inhibited poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Thus, ERK1/2 and Akt activation are instrumental in the protective effect of Cf-PS against alcohol-induced cell death in AGS cells. Moreover, Cf-PS treatment reduced the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the inducible form of nitric oxide (iNOS), proteins related to ulcers. These results suggest that Cf-PS could help protect against alcohol-induced peptic ulcers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / toxicity*
  • Chlorophyta / chemistry*
  • Coloring Agents
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / biosynthesis
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Ethanol / toxicity*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / biosynthesis
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt / metabolism
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / isolation & purification
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced
  • Stomach Ulcer / pathology
  • Stomach Ulcer / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Coloring Agents
  • Polysaccharides
  • Ethanol
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • Oncogene Protein v-akt
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases