Structure and hypolipidaemic activity of fucoidan extracted from brown seaweed <i>Sargassum henslowianum</i>

<div><p>The aim of this study is to elucidate the structure and investigate the hypolipidaemic activity of a fucoidan extracted from brown seaweed <i>Sargassum henslowianum</i> collected at Hai Van–Son Cha peninsula, Hue province, Vietnam by using tandem electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated that the fucoidan has α(1 → 3)-linked l-fucopyranose backbone and sulphate groups occupied mostly at C-2, C-4 and sometimes at C-3 position of fucose residues. The results of <i>in vivo</i> bioactivity examination revealed that the fucoidan in the dose of 100 mg/kgP/day by oral administration helped decrease cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels on obese mice.</p></div

Anti-inflammatory Asterosaponins from the Starfish <i>Astropecten monacanthus</i>

Four new asterosaponins, astrosteriosides A–D (<b>1</b>–<b>3</b> and <b>5</b>), and two known compounds, psilasteroside (<b>4</b>) and marthasteroside B (<b>6</b>), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the edible Vietnamese starfish <i>Astropecten monacanthus</i>. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods including FTICRMS and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The effects of the extracts and isolated compounds on pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by measuring the production of IL-12 p40, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Compounds <b>1</b>, <b>5</b>, and <b>6</b> exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of the positive control. Further studies are required to confirm efficacy <i>in vivo</i> and the mechanism of effects. Such potent anti-inflammatory activities render compounds <b>1</b>, <b>5</b>, and <b>6</b> important materials for further applications including complementary inflammation remedies and/or functional foods and nutraceuticals