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Effect of galactofucan sulfate of a brown seaweed on induced hepatotoxicity in rats, sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep, and anti-inflammatory activity

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Abstract

This study was designed to characterize the chemical composition, anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effect of the polysaccharide a galactofucan sulfate (GFS) from brown seaweed Lobophora variegata. Chemical characterization was performed by several chemical methods, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H, 13C, heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC), and 1H-1H COSY), and infrared spectroscopies. The results showed an acidic polysaccharide with a high level of sulfated fucose and galactose. GFS displayed anti-oxidant effects acting directly on the free radicals. Pretreatment with fucans in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration resulted in a significantly inhibited increase in the blood enzymatic activities and bilirubin level. Administration of GFS (75 mg kg−1) reduced (p < 0.01) the activities of enzymes. This was shown by assessment of hepatic markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamil transferase (γ-GT), and bilirubin reduction in serum. Histological analysis of the liver confirmed the effects of fucans on hepatoprotection. This fucan affects time of sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep, also demonstrating its effect on hepatic recuperation.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by CAPES, MCT, FAPERN/CNPq, and CNPq/Brazil. Luiza Sheyla P. D. Will Castro, Marilia S. Nascimento, and Thuane S. Pinheiro would like to thank the CNPq and CAPES for their fellowship support

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Salgado Filho, 3000, Bairro L. Nova, CEP: 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil

    Luiza Sheyla Evenni P. Will Castro, Allisson J. Gomes Castro, Marília da S. Nascimento Santos, Thuane de Sousa Pinheiro, Kahena de Quevedo Florentin, Luciana G. Alves & Edda Lisboa Leite

  2. Department of Oceanography and Limnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Via Costeira, s/n, Praia de Mãe Luiza, CEP 59014-100, Natal, Brazil

    Eliane Marinho Soriano

  3. Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Salgado Filho, 3000, Bairro L. Nova, CEP: 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil

    Renata Mendonça Araújo

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  1. Luiza Sheyla Evenni P. Will Castro
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  2. Allisson J. Gomes Castro
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  3. Marília da S. Nascimento Santos
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Correspondence to Edda Lisboa Leite.

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Will Castro, L.S.E.P., Gomes Castro, A.J., da S. Nascimento Santos, M. et al. Effect of galactofucan sulfate of a brown seaweed on induced hepatotoxicity in rats, sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep, and anti-inflammatory activity. J Appl Phycol 28, 2005–2017 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-015-0698-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-015-0698-y

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