Properties of fucoidan sulfated polysaccharides that support clinical efficacy

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10369
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: The Nippon Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Oka Shunya 日本歯科大学, 新潟生命歯学部, 准教授 (90213909)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 今井 あかね 日本歯科大学新潟短期大学, その他部局等, 教授 (60180080)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: フコイダン / エンドトキシン / シクロオキシゲナーゼ / 抗腫瘍作用 / オーラルヘルスケア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Fucoidans are sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from marine algae. These compounds have many useful activities, including antitumor effects, promotion of apoptosis of cancer cells, and antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic actions. We have reported several cases of oral healthcare. The aim of this study was to examine the properties of fucoidans for use in oral healthcare. In this study, several key findings for fucoidans were revealed; possible binding to and neutralization of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) in an LAL assay; and COX-1 and/or COX-2 inhibitory activity; shows collagenase inhibitory activity, which is the main result that fucoidan is useful for the prevention of skin aging. Moreover, data from basic experiments using cultured human cells were added, and numerous results were obtained to support the usefulness of fucoidan.

Free Research Field

分子細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

フコイダンは多様な生理作用を持つ上に海藻由来の天然成分であり極めて安全性も高い。特に高齢者の口腔内の健康維持や予防に最適な天然成分であるとの考えが確固たるものとなった。フコイダンの作用機序を基礎科学的な見地から解明を試みた研究の結果、内毒素の中和や代替ステロイド活性、ヒト培養細胞を用いた基礎実験から得られた結果はフコイダンの有用性を示している。得られた結果は口腔医療への新たな応用を推進するという形で社会に貢献可能と考えている。