Sargassum
One of the largest genera of BROWN ALGAE, comprised of more than 150 species found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones of both hemispheres. Some species are attached (benthic) but most float in the open sea (pelagic). Sargassum provides a critical habitat for hundreds of species of FISHES; TURTLES; and INVERTEBRATES.
Seaweed
Multicellular marine macroalgae including some members of red (RHODOPHYTA), green (CHLOROPHYTA), and brown (PHAEOPHYTA) algae. They are widely distributed in the ocean, occurring from the tide level to considerable depths, free-floating (planktonic) or anchored to the substratum (benthic). They lack a specialized vascular system but take up fluids, nutrients, and gases directly from the water. They contain CHLOROPHYLL and are photosynthetic, but some also contain other light-absorbing pigments. Many are of economic importance as FOOD, fertilizer, AGAR, potash, or source of IODINE.
Phaeophyta
A division of predominantly marine EUKARYOTA, commonly known as brown algae, having CHROMATOPHORES containing carotenoid PIGMENTS, BIOLOGICAL. ALGINATES and phlorotannins occur widely in all major orders. They are considered the most highly evolved algae because of their well-developed multicellular organization and structural complexity.
Glucosyldiacylglycerol enhances reciprocal activation of prourokinase and plasminogen. (1/47)
Reciprocal activation of prourokinase (pro-u-PA) and plasminogen is an important mechanism in the initiation and propagation of local fibrinolytic activity. We found that glucosyldiacylglycerol (GDG) enhanced the reciprocal activation by 1.5- to 2-fold at 0.7-16 microM, accompanying increased conversions of both zymogens to active two-chain forms. The reciprocal activation system consists of (i) plasminogen activation by pro-u-PA to form plasmin, (ii) pro-u-PA activation by the resulting plasmin to form two-chain u-PA (tcu-PA), and (iii) plasminogen activation by the resulting tcu-PA. Whereas GDG minimally affected steps (ii) and (iii) in isolated systems, it markedly enhanced step (i) in the absence of the conversion of pro-u-PA to tcu-PA. GDG significantly increased the intrinsic fluorescence of pro-u-PA (6.7%), but not that of tcu-PA or plasminogen. The large change in intrinsic fluorescence suggests that GDG selectively affects pro-u-PA to alter its conformation, and this mechanism may account for enhancement of its intrinsic plasminogen activator activity. (+info)Glycerol derivatives and sterols from Sargassum parvivesiculosum. (2/47)
Five glycerol derivatives (1-5) and three sterols (6-8) were isolated from the EtOH extraction of the brown alga of Sargassum parvivesiculosum. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, their structures were elucidated as 1,3-di-O-[2',2'-di-(p-phenylene) isopropylidene] glycerol (1), (2S)-1-O-heptatriacontanoyl glycerol (2), (2S)-1,2-di-O-palmitoyl-3-O-(6-sulpho-alpha-D-quinovopyranosyl) glycerol (3), (2S)-1-O-palmitoyl glycerol (4), (2S)-1,3-di-(O-palmitoyl)-2-O-octadecanoyl glycerol (5), 24-ethylcholest-5,23Z-dien-3beta,28zeta-diol (6), 24-vinylcholest-5-en-24zeta-hydroperoxy (7), 24-ethylcholest-4,24(28)-dien-3beta-ol (8), respectively. Among them, 1 and 2 were new. (+info)Antioxidant and antiviral activities of plastoquinones from the brown alga Sargassum micracanthum, and a new chromene derivative converted from the plastoquinones. (3/47)
Two plastoquinones were isolated from the methanolic extract of the brown alga Sargassum micracanthum, and these were identified as a known 2-geranylgeranyl-6-methylbenzoquinone and its hydroquinone, respectively, based on spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of the secondary hydroxyl group was determined by the modified Mosher's method using the new chromene derivative converted from plastoquinones. One of the plastoquinones and the chromene exhibited significant antioxidant activities, such as an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation and a radical scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The benzoquinone-type compound and the chromene derivative were found to have potent antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). (+info)Sargassum hemiphyllum inhibits atopic allergic reaction via the regulation of inflammatory mediators. (4/47)
Sargassum hemiphyllum (SH) has long been used in Korean folk medicine for the therapeutic treatment of various allergic diseases. The effects of SH in previous experimental models, however, have been inconclusive. We studied the effects of methanol extract of SH on mast cells. Our experiments showed that SH significantly inhibited compound 48/80-induced histamine and beta-hexosaminidase release from rat peritoneal mast cells. SH inhibited interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha release induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and A23187 from HMC-1, and it also showed an inhibitory effect on the anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibody-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction. In addition, SH inhibited the increase of TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB protein levels, transcription factor of TNF-alpha from 293T cells. A period of 48 h exposure to SH had little effect on HMC-1 cell viability. Our results suggest that SH has an inhibitory effect on the atopic allergic reaction and thus this may be useful in the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. (+info)Effects of plastoquinones from the brown alga Sargassum micracanthum and a new chromene derivative converted from the plastoquinones on acute gastric lesions in rats. (5/47)
Previously, we reported the anti oxidative and anti viral effects of plastoquinones (compounds 1, 2) extracted from the seaweed Sargassum micracanthum (Kuetzing) Endlicher and a new chromene compound (compound 3), which was converted from the plastoquinones. Recently, we have also demonstrated the antiulcer effects of these compounds and assessed the effects using a rat model of acute gastric lesion and fundus strips isolated from rats. In hydrochloric acid/ethanol rat ulcer tests: 1) oral administrations of compounds 1, 2, and 3 1--10, 3--30 and 10--30 mg/kg, respectively, and omeprazole 3--30 mg/kg showed dose-dependent antiulcer effects: 2) the antiulcer effects after intraduodenal administration of the respective compounds at the dose of 30 mg/kg were found to be significant: and 3) a decrease in the hexosamine level of the gastric mucosa was slightly improved by oral administration of compounds 1, 2, and 3 30 mg/kg. In indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer tests, the antiulcer effects of compounds 1, 2, and 3 10 mg/kg (p.o.) were not significant. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed slight contracting effects on the fundus isolated from rats and these effects were inhibited by pretreatment with AH6809, an inhibitor of prostaglandin DP, EP(1), and EP(2) receptors. These results suggest that the protection of the mucosa via endogenous prostaglandins might be related to the antiulcer effects of compounds 1, 2, and 3. (+info)Defensive nature of Sargassum polycystum (Brown alga) against acetaminophen-induced toxic hepatitis in rats: role of drug metabolizing microsomal enzyme system, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and fate of liver cell structural integrity. (6/47)
AIM: To assess the defensive nature of Sargassum polycystum (S. polycystum) (Brown alga) against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced changes in drug metabolizing microsomal enzyme system, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and fine structural features of the liver during toxic hepatitis in rats. METHODS: Male albino Wistar strain rats used for the study were randomly categorized into 4 groups. Group I consisted of normal control rats fed with standard diet. Group II rats were administered with acetaminophen (800 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Group III rats were pre-treated with S. polycystum extract alone. Group IV rats were orally pre-treated with S. polycystum extract (200 mg/kg body weight for 21 d) prior to acetaminophen induction (800 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Serum separated and liver was excised and microsomal fraction was isolated for assaying cytochrome P450, NADPH Cyt P450 reductase and b(5). Serum TNF-alpha was detected using ELISA. Fine structural features of liver were examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Rats intoxicated with acetaminophen showed considerable impairment in the activities of drug metabolizing microsomal enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, NADPH Cyt P450 reductase and b(5) when compared with the control rats. The rats intoxicated with acetaminophen also significantly triggered serum TNF-alpha when compared with the control rats. These severe alterations in the drug metabolizing enzymes were appreciably prevented in the rats pretreated with S. polycystum. The rats pretreated with S. polycystum showed considerable inhibition in the elevation of TNF-alpha compared to the rats intoxicated with acetaminophen. The electron microscopic observation showed considerable loss of structural integrity of the endoplasmic reticulum, lipid infiltration and ballooning of mitochondria in the acetaminophen-intoxicated rats, whereas the rats treated with S. polycystum showed considerable protection against acetaminophen-induced alterations in structural integrity. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that the animals treated with S. polycystum extract may have the ability to protect the drug metabolizing enzyme system and mitochondrial functional status from free radical attack, thereby showing its defense mechanism in protecting hepatic cells from acetaminophen toxic metabolite N-acetyl-para-benzoquinone-imine (NAPQI). (+info)Antiviral targets of a chromene derivative from Sargassum micracanthum in the replication of human cytomegalovirus. (7/47)
A chromene derivative (1) obtained from a brown alga, Sargassum micracanthum, has been proved to be a potent inhibitor of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). In the present study, we evaluated its mode of action by various experimental assays. Time-of-addition experiments revealed that 1 was active if applied to cells before viral DNA synthesis, indicating that it inhibited early events of virus replication including virus adsorption and penetration, and a step immediately after viral internalization. Virus attachment and penetration studies suggested that one of the targets for anti-HCMV action of 1 was virus adsorption to cells and to a lesser extent, virus internalization was delayed in the presence of the compound. Pretreatment of virus particles with 1 showed that the compound exerted dose-dependent virucidal action. The chromene derivative and ganciclovir (GCV), an anti-HCMV drug, were synergistic inhibitors when used in combination. The synergistic effect could be explained by inhibition of different steps in HCMV replication cycle produced by 1 and GCV. (+info)Isolation of tetraprenyltoluquinols from the brown alga Sargassum thunbergii. (8/47)
Thunbergols A (4) and B (5), tetraprenyltoluquinols, along with three known compounds (1-3) have been isolated from the brown alga Sargassum thunbergii. The structures of these two new compounds were determined to be 9-(3,4-dihydro-2,8-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-yl)-6-methyl-2-(4-methyl- 3-pentenyl)-(2E,6E)-nonadienoic acid (4) and 10-(2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-yl)-10-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-(4-me thyl-3-pentenyl)-(2E,6E)-undecadienoic acid (5), respectively, by combined spectroscopic methods. Both of them exhibited significant scavenging activities on radical and potently inhibited generation of ONOO(-) from morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). (+info)Sargassum is a genus of brown seaweed (Phaeophyceae) that floats in the Sargasso Sea and other tropical seas, characterized by its gas-filled bladders and complex thallus structure, which provide important marine habitats but can also pose environmental challenges when washed ashore in large quantities.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Sargassum" is not a medical term. It refers to a type of brown seaweed or macroalgae that floats in the ocean and forms large floating mats. The two main species are Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans. These seaweeds are named after the Sargasso Sea, a region in the Atlantic Ocean known for its dense population of Sargassum. If you have any questions related to medical terminology or health-related topics, I would be happy to help!
'Seaweed' is not a medical term, but in general terms, it refers to various marine algae or plant-like organisms that can be found in the ocean and are sometimes used in food, fertilizer, or medicinal products, although their medicinal uses would have specific definitions within a medical context.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but seaweed is not typically referred to in medical definitions. Seaweed is a common name for various marine macroalgae, which are multicellular aquatic plants found in the ocean. They are often consumed as food and have been used in traditional medicine in some cultures. However, there is no widely accepted medical definition for seaweed. If you're looking for information about a specific compound or substance derived from seaweed that might be relevant to medical definitions, I would be happy to help if you could provide more details.
'Phaeophyta', also known as brown algae, is a division of complex, multicellular marine algae characterized by the presence of fucoxanthin and other pigments, which give them a brownish color, and a robust holdfast to attach to rocks or other substrates in the shallow coastal areas where they typically grow.
Phaeophyta is a taxonomic division that refers to a group of complex, multicellular brown algae found in marine environments. These algae are characterized by their pigmentation, which includes fucoxanthin, chlorophyll-a, and chlorophyll-c, giving them a brown color. They have diverse morphology, ranging from simple thread-like forms to large seaweeds.
Phaeophyta species are primarily found in cold, nutrient-rich waters and play an essential role in marine ecosystems as primary producers and habitats for various marine organisms. Some examples of Phaeophyta include kelps, rockweed, and bladderwrack. It's worth noting that the classification and nomenclature of algae are continually evolving, so different sources might use slightly different terminology or categorization.
'Petroleum pollution' in a medical context refers to the contamination of air, water, or soil by petroleum and its derivatives, which can result in harmful exposure effects on human health, such as respiratory issues, skin irritations, and potential long-term complications from chronic exposure.
Petroleum pollution is not a medical term per se, but it is an environmental and public health issue. It refers to the contamination of the environment, particularly water bodies, soil, and air, by petroleum products or hydrocarbons. These pollutants can originate from various sources, including oil spills, leaks from underground storage tanks, runoff from roads, and improper disposal of industrial waste.
The health effects of petroleum pollution can vary depending on the type and amount of exposure. Short-term exposure to high levels of hydrocarbons can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, while long-term exposure has been linked to more severe health problems such as neurological damage, cancer, and reproductive issues. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent and mitigate petroleum pollution to protect both the environment and public health.