Study: Seaweed Found to Reduce Cancer Growth Rate
A breakthrough research has now confirmed that two unique compounds extracted from specific seaweed have significant cancer-inhibiting properties. A series of animal studies undertaken at McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston (UTHealth) have shown that the two fucoidans reduced tumor growth in select cancers and significantly improved the effectiveness of the common chemotherapy drug tamoxifen.
The Tasmanian species undaria pinnatifida is native to Japan but was first identified off the state’s East Coast in 1988. For centuries, fucoidan-containing seaweeds have been prized for their dietary and therapeutic properties. Their medicinal properties have been particularly well documented in Asian cultures, where seaweeds have been used to address health conditions that range from nausea, congestion and inflammation through to abscesses and tumors. Despite this long history of seaweeds as medicinal agents, it was not until the 20th century that fucoidan was first isolated and recognized for its therapeutic potential.
“Seaweed has been used in Asian markets for centuries for its healing properties, where it is being used in supplements, cosmetics and functional foods. But it is growing quite a lot in America and Europe, especially in supplements and in immune, joint health and anti-cancer applications,
” Claire Smoorenburg, Science Communications at fucoidan ingredients supplier Marinova, says.This new breakthrough demonstrates the potential for fucoidan to be safely used as a complementary cancer therapy alongside traditional chemotherapy.
They were tested in mouse models of human cancer, including cervical, breast and ovarian cancer. Ingestion of the fucoidan extracts decreased the growth of a human ovarian cancer tumour by up to 33 per cent and a human cervical cancer tumour up to 70 per cent. The extracts also significantly improved the effectiveness of the common chemotherapy drug tamoxifen, meaning fucoidan has the potential to be used as a complementary cancer therapy.
Researchers found fucoidan improved the effectiveness of the drug for breast cancer. It decreased breast cancer tumour growth by up to an additional 26 per cent when taken alongside tamoxifen.
“This was the first research program to comprehensively assess the metabolism of fucoidan compounds for possible chemotherapy drug interactions,” comments Associate Professor Dr. Judith A. Smith, Director of the Women’s Health Integrative Medicine Research Program at UTHealth, who led the research project.
“A pharmacokinetic study is now underway at UTHealth to further assess safety and observe quality of life parameters in human cancer patients,” Dr. Smith adds.
Adding to these findings, a further study in the research program found that both fucoidan extracts enhanced the immune function of cancer-affected mice. Immune markers immunoglobulin G (IgG) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were both significantly modulated in fucoidan-fed mice, with a 500 percent increase in IgG levels relative to controls after one week.
Marinova chief scientist Helen Fitton said the research was groundbreaking. “These results show the potential for fucoidan to help restore functional immunity in cancer patients,” Dr Fitton said. “To have identified a safe, natural compound that has such a significant effect on immunity in an oncology setting is really quite remarkable.”
