The research on the anti-tumor efficacy of fucoidan is currently the most concerned direction in the academic community, and a large number of research results have been achieved. The anti-tumor effects of fucoidan mainly include:
1. Regulate tumor cell cycle
In 2015, Professor Lee Sang Hun of Soonchunhyang University in South Korea and others found that fucoidan can regulate the growth cycle of human colon cancer cells, inhibit the expression of cyclin Cyclin and cyclin kinase CDK in tumor cells, and affect the normal mitosis of tumor cells. The tumor cells are arrested in the prophase of mitosis, and the proliferation of tumor cells is inhibited. (Molecular Medicine Reports, 2015, 12, 3446.)
2. Induce tumor cell apoptosis
In 2012, a study published by Quan Li’s research team at Qingdao University found that fucoidan can activate the apoptosis signal of tumor cells – Bax apoptosis protein, causing DNA damage in breast cancer cells, chromosome condensation, and induction of spontaneous apoptosis of tumor cells. , inhibited the growth of tumor cells in mice. (Plos One, 2012, 7, e43483.)
3. Inhibit tumor cell metastasis
In 2015, researchers such as Chang-Jer Wu of National Taiwan Ocean University published a study showing that fucoidan can increase the expression of tissue inhibitory factor (TIMP) and down-regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), thereby inhibiting the metastasis of tumor cells in vivo. . (Mar. Drugs 2015, 13, 1882.)
4. Inhibit tumor angiogenesis
In 2015, the research team of Tz-Chong Chou of Taiwan Medical Center found that fucoidan can reduce the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inhibit tumor angiogenesis, cut off the tumor’s nutrient supply source, starve the tumor to the greatest extent. Blocks the spread and metastasis of tumor cells. (Mar. Drugs 2015, 13, 4436.)
5. Activates the body’s immune system
In 2006, Professor Takahisa Nakano of Kitasato University in Japan found that fucoidan can enhance the body’s immunity and use the patient’s own immune system to specifically kill cancer cells. After entering the gut, fucoidan can be recognized by immune cells, generate signals to activate the immune system, and activate NK cells, B cells and T cells, thereby producing antibodies that bind cancer cells and T cells that kill cancer cells. It can specifically kill cancer cells and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. (Planta Medica, 2006, 72, 1415.)
Fucoidan improves gastrointestinal efficacy
Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, microaerophilic, gram-negative bacillus that requires very strict growth conditions. It is the only microbial species known to survive in the human stomach. Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis, digestive tract Ulcers, lymphoproliferative gastric lymphoma, etc., the poor prognosis is gastric cancer.
