Hypolipidemic potential of sterol containing fractions of Jolyna laminarioides: a brown alga.

Solvent fractions (n-hexane, cholorofrom, methanol) and fractions containing sterols of Jolyna laminarioides was evaluated in triton-induced and high-fat-diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. Oral administration of J. laminarioides significantly reduced the elevated level of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c, both in triton induced and high fat diet induced hyperlipidemic rat models with increased serum HDL-c. Chloroform: methanol fraction (2:1) and n-hexane fraction containing sterol showed promising results in reducing LDL-c. The methanol fraction showed hypolipidemic effect by increasing HDL-c (90%). The extracts and fractions of the seaweed also decreased the increased level of cardiac and hepatic marker enzymes beside lowering lipid profile. J. laminarioides exhibited high anti-hyperlipidemic effects both in triton induced and high fat diet induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Protective role of Sargassum species in liver and kidney dysfunctions and associated disorders in rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen.

Hepatoprotective and reno-potective effect of Sargassum species was investigated in rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and acetaminophen (AAP) intoxication. The rats were given ethanol extracts of Sargassum ilicifolium, S. lanceolatum and S.swartzii orally at dose of 200mg/kg b.w. (body weight) daily for 14 days. These seaweed treated rats were then intoxicated with single intra-peritoneal dose of CCl4 or AAP on14th day. The administration of CCl4 and AAP caused significant (p<0.05) elevation in liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and other biochemical parameters, bilirubin, glucose, triglyceride and kidney function markers: urea and creatinine. The pre-treatment with ethanol extracts of S. ilicifolium and S. swartzii protected the liver and kidney significantly (p<0.05) by lowering the elevated level of hepatic enzymes, liver and kidney function markers towards normal range. Sargassum species have also showed positive effect on serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride.

Effect of seaweeds occurring at Karachi coast on mosquito larvae and liver function in rats.

Seaweeds have been consumed as human food from thousands of years. In this study ethanol extract of 16 different seaweeds were tested for mosquito larvicidal activity against 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegyptii. The ethanol extracts of Padina pavonia and Sargassum ilicifolium caused 50% mortality at 1200ppm concentration. However other seaweeds Halimeda tuna, Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta), Dictyota dichotoma var intricata, Jolyna laminariodes, Sargassum binderi (Phaeophyta), Melanothamnus afaqhusainii and Solieria robusta (Rhodophyta) showed LC50 at ≈1500 ppm concentration. The n-hexane fraction of Padina pavonia was most potent and produced lethality at minimum concentration (LC50 at 250ppm).The effect of ethanol and water extracts of S. binderii was also examined on liver function of healthy rats. The ethanol extract of Sargassum binderi given orally to rats @ 200mg/kg for 14 days slightly increased the concentration of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and LDH) and urea level as compared with normal control rats, but did not increase bilirubin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and creatinine. Whereas water extract of S. binderi affected ALT while other biochemical parameters were near normal or slightly decreased as compared to normal control.