OLIFUCO ® Oligo Fucoidan Powder by Hi-Q Marine Biotech

Hi-Q has collaborated in R&D with professional scientists team, Ph.D. & M.D in scientific researches & human clinical trials across government institutions, recognized universities, and hospital groups. Click here to overview list of 50+ publications

Published Research

Toxicological Evaluation

• Toxicological Evaluation of Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan in Vitro and in Vivo
  Pai-An Hwang, Ming-De Yan, [...], and Yen-Chang Lin
  Abstract
  For a long time, fucoidan has been well known for its pharmacological activities, and recently low molecular weight fucoidan (LMF) has been used in food supplements and pharmaceutical products. In the present study, LMF was extracted from Laminaria japonica by enzyme hydrolysis. The toxicity of LMF in mouse and rat models was determined by many methods, such as total arsenic content, bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosome aberration assay, and in vivo micronucleus assay. The present findings showed that LMF at 5000 μg/mL exhibited no mutagenicity. It also produced no formatting disruption of red blood cells in vivo. At 2000 mg/kg BW/day there were no toxicological indications. LMF is expected to be used as a safe food supplement. .
  

  Immune Health

• Dietary Supplementation with Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan Enhances Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses and Protects against Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antigen Stimulation
  Abstract
  In this study, the low-molecular-weight (LMW) fucoidan, rich in fucose and sulfate, was extracted and purified from the edible brown seaweed, Laminaria japonica. In this study, we orally administered LMW fucoidan to mice for 6 weeks. We then examined fucoidan's effects on innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)- antigen-stimulated immune responses. Our data showed that LMW fucoidan stimulated the innate immune system by increasing splenocyte proliferation, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and phagocytic activity. LMW fucoidan also increased interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-γ secretion by splenocytes and immunoglobulin (Ig)-G and IgA content in serum, which help regulate adaptive immune cell functions, and decreased allergen- specific IgE. In MP-antigen-stimulated immune responses, the IgM and IgG content in the serum were significantly higher in the LMW fucoidan group after MP-antigen stimulation. Our study provides further information about the immunomodulatory effects of LMW fucoidan and highlights a potential role in preventing M. pneumoniae infection.

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  Bone Health
• The in vitro and in vivo effects of the low molecular weight fucoidan on the bone osteogenic differentiation properties
  Pai-An Hwang, Ming-De Yan, [...], and Yen-Chang Lin
  Abstract
  Osteoporosis has been reported as a hidden death factor in aged people. So far, prevention and treatment therapies for osteoporosis only slow down the progress but do not treat the disease. Fucoidan has been recognized its roles in anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant and antiviral activities. To date, low molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan role in bone loss disease has been not determined yet. Therefore, this study aims to figure out potential effects of LMW fucoidan in osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo. LMW fucoidan was extracted from fresh Sargassum hemiphyllum showing a significant increase in 7F2 cell viability to 150.33 ± 6.50 % relative to normal fucoidan (130.12 ± 5.74 %). The expression of level BMP-2, ALP, osteocalcin significantly increased with 2.28 ± 0.06, 2.18 ± 0.12 and 2.06 ± 0.07 fold, respectively. The RT-PCR assay showed that LMW fucoidan increased mRNA expression of BMP-2, ALP, osteocalcin, COL I, BSP and osteonectin. Furthermore, the bone density and bone ash weight were considerably boosted by the oral administration of 280 mg/kg LMW fucoidan and 100 mg/kg calcium carbonate in C57BL/6J female aged mice. The present finding indicated that LMW fucoidan triggered osteogenic differentiation in vitro, and had an anabolic effect on bone mineralization in vivo. Dietary intake of LMW fucoidan from S. hemiphyllum suggested playing a role in the enhancement of bone loss with increasing age.
  Supplemental Therapy (Human Clinical Studies)
• Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan as a Supplemental Therapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
  Hsiang-Lin Tsai, Chi-Jung Tai, [...], and Jaw-Yuan Wang
  Abstract
  Background: Low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMF) is widely used as a food supplement for cancer patients. However, all of the studies are in vitro or were conducted using mice. Therefore, powerful clinical evidence for LMF use is relatively weak. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LMF as a supplemental therapy to chemo-target agents in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients.
  
  Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of LMF as a supplemental therapy to chemotarget agents in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Sixty eligible patients with mCRC were included. Finally, 54 patients were enrolled, of whom 28 were included in the study group and 26 in the control group.
  
  The primary endpoint was the disease control rate (DCR), and secondary endpoints included the overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), adverse effects (AEs), and quality of life (QOL).
  
  Results: The DCRs were 92.8% and 69.2% in the study and control groups, respectively (p = 0.026), in a median follow-up period of 11.5 months. The OS, PFS, ORR, AEs, and QOL did not significantly differ between the two groups.
  
  Conclusion: This is the first clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of LMF as a supplemental therapy in the management of patients with mCRC. The results indicate that LMF combined with chemotarget agents significantly improved the DCR.
  
  

  Supplemental Therapy (Asthma)

• The Oligo Fucoidan Inhibits Platelet-Derived Growth Factor- Stimulated Proliferation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
  Chao-Huei Yang, Chiung-Fang Tsao, [...], and Ya-Ling Chiou
  Abstract
  In the pathogenesis of asthma, the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is a key factor in airway remodeling and causes airway narrowing. In addition, ASMCs are also the effector cells of airway inflammation. Fucoidan extracted from marine brown algae polysaccharides has antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticlotting, and anticancer properties; however, its effectiveness for asthma has not been elucidated thus far. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-treated primary ASMCs were cultured with or without oligo-fucoidan (100, 500, or 1000 µg/mL) to evaluate its effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and Akt, ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
  
  We found that PDGF (40 ng/mL) increased the proliferation of ASMCs by 2.5-fold after 48 h (p < 0.05). Oligo-fucoidan reduced the proliferation of PDGF-stimulated ASMCs by 75%–99% after 48 h (p < 0.05) and induced G1/G0 cell cycle arrest, but did not induce apoptosis. Further, oligo-fucoidan supplementation reduced PDGF-stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), Akt, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB phosphorylation.
  
  Taken together, oligo-fucoidan supplementation might reduce proliferation of PDGF-treated ASMCs through the suppression of ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. The results provide basis for future animal experiments and human trials.

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  Heart health (PM 2.5 air pollution)

• PM2.5 induced cardiac hypertrophy via CREB/GSK3b/SOS1 pathway and metabolomics alterations
  Kuan-Lun Li and Yen-Chang Lin
  Abstract
  The particle matter with diameter less 2.5μm (PM2.5) easier to adsorb toxic substance, and interfere with pulmonary gas exchange. In this study, cardioprotective effects of low molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan in cardiac hypertrophy subjects induced by PM2.5 exposure was conducted by measuring QT interval, Blood pressure, cardiac structure, metabolites and proteins expression in different organs. After PM2.5 exposure, increase in blood pressure, abnormal cardiac function (Prolongation of Action Potential Duration and QT Interval), and structral remodeling (cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis) were recorded.
  
  Fucoidan supplement in consecutive 28 days can reduce the damage to myocardial injury caused by PM2.5. Clearance effect of fucoidan in serum, heart, kidney, lung and liver was found due to organic and inorganic compounds reduced SOS1, CREB, GSK3b, and GRB2 protein level were changed under PM2.5 exposure. Whereas, only CREB level was reduced after fucoidan treatment.
  
  Metabolic alteration was also determined that PM2.5 severely damage cardiac tissue and compromise its function. After treatment with fucoidan, the cardiac function was significantly recovered. Our finding demonstrated that LMW could enhance the cardiac status of mice with PM2.5 exposures by rescued QT interval prolongation, action potential and cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiac fibrosis decline.

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  Other Benefits

• Effects of Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan and High Stability Fucoxanthin on Glucose Homeostasis, Lipid Metabolism, and Liver Function in a Mouse Model of Type II Diabetes
  Hong-Ting Victor Lin, Yu-Chi Tsou, [...], and Pai-An Hwang
  Abstract
  The combined effects of low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMF) and hepatoprotective activities were investigated in a mouse model of type II diabetes. The intake of LMF, Fx, and LMF + Fx lowered the blood sugar and fasting blood sugar levels, and increased serum adiponectin levels. The significant decrease in urinary sugar was only observed in LMF + Fx supplementation. LMF and Fx had ameliorating effects on the hepatic tissue of db/db mice by increasing hepatic glycogen and antioxidative enzymes, and LMF was more effective than Fx at improving hepatic glucose metabolism.
  
  As for glucose and lipid metabolism in the adipose tissue, the expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, glucose transporter (GLUT), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 mRNAs in the adipose tissue of diabetic mice was significantly upregulated by Fx and LMF + Fx, and levels of inflammatory adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were significantly modulated only by LMF + Fx supplementation. The efficacy of LMF + Fx supplementation on fucoxanthin (Fx) in terms of antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and the decrease in urinary sugar and on glucose and lipid metabolism in the white adipose tissue of db/db mice was better than that of Fx or LMF alone, indicating the occurrence of a synergistic effect of LMF and Fx.

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