Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biological activities and potential cosmeceutical applications of bioactive components from brown seaweeds: a review

  • Published:
Phytochemistry Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seaweeds are the primary producers of all aquatic ecosystems. Chemical constituents isolated from diverse classes of seaweeds exert a wide range of nutritional, functional and biological activities. Unique metabolites of seaweeds possess specific biological properties that make them potential ingredients of many industrial applications such as functional foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Cosmeceuticals of natural origin are becoming more popular than synthetic cosmetics. Hence, the investigation of new seaweeds derived functional components, a different source of natural products, has proven to be a promising area of cosmeceutical studies. Brown seaweeds also produce a range of active components including unique secondary metabolites such as phlorotannins and many of which have specific biological activities that give possibilities for their economic utilization. Brown seaweeds derived active compounds have been shown various functional properties including, antioxidant, antiwrinkling, whitening, antiinflammatory and antiallergy. It is well-known that these kind of biological effects are closely associated with cosmeceutical preparations. This communication reviews the current knowledge on brown seaweeds derived metabolites with various biological activities and the potential use as cosmeceutical ingredients. It is hoped that the reviewed literature on multifunctional properties of brown seaweeds will improve access to the seaweed based natural products specially the ability to incorporate these functional properties in cosmeceutical applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agar N, Young AR (2005) Melanogenesis: a photoprotective response to DNA damage. Mutat Res 571:121–132

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahn GN, Kim KN, Cha SH, Son CB, Lee J, Heo MS, Yeo IK, Lee NH, Jee YH, Kim JS, Heu MS, Jeon YJ (2007) Antioxidant activities of phlorotannins purified from E. cava on free radical scavenging using ESR and H2O2-mediated DNA damage. Eur Food Res Technol 226:71–79

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrade LR, Salgado LT, Farina M, Pereira MS, Mourão PAS, Amado-Filho GM (2004) Ultrastructure of acidic polysaccharides from the cell walls of brown algae. J Struct Biol 145:216–225

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Antignac E, Nohynec GJ, Re T, Clouzeau J, Toutain H (2011) Safety of botanical ingredients in personal care products/cosmetics. Food Chem Toxicol 49:324–341

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boisson-Vidal C, Haroun F, Ellouali M, Blondin C, Fischer AM, de Agostini A, Josefonvicz J (1995) Biological activities of polysaccharides from marine algae. Drugs Futur 20:1237–1249

    Google Scholar 

  • Caliceti M, Argese E, Sfriso A, Pavoni B (2002) Heavy metal contamination in the seaweeds of the Venice lagoon. Chemosphere 47:4436–4454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardozo KHM, Guaratini T, Barros MP, Falcao VR, Tonon AP, Lopes NP, Campos S, Torres MA, Souza AO, Colepicolo P, Pinto E (2007) Metabolites from algae with economical impact. Comp Biochem Phys C146:60–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Cha SH, Ko SC, Kim D, Jeon YJ (2010) Screening of marine algae for potential tyrosinase inhibitor: those inhibitors reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in zebra fish. J Dermatol 37:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandini SK, Ganesa P, Bhaskar N (2008) In vitro antioxidant activities of three selected seaweeds of India. Food Chem 107:707–713

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Seo JY, Kim YK, Lee SR, Kim KH, Cho KH, Eun HC, Chung JH (2005) Heat modulation of tropoelastin, fibrillin-1, and matrixmetalloproteinase-12 in human skin in vivo. J Invest Dermatol 124:70–78

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choi CM, Berson DS (2006) Cosmeceuticals. Semin Cutan Med Surg 25:163–168

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Connan S, Deslandes E, Gall EA (2007) Influence of day-night and tidal cycles on phenol content and antioxidant capacity in three temperate intertidal brown seaweeds. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 349:359–369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costa LS, Fidelis GP, Cordeiro SL, Oliveira RM, Sabry DA, Câmara RB, Nobre LT, Costa MS, Almeida-Lima J, Farias EH, Leite EL, Rocha HA (2010) Biological activities of sulfated polysaccharides from tropical seaweeds. Biomed Pharmacother 64:21–28

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis TA, Volesky B, Mucci A (2003) A review of the biochemistry of heavy metal biosorption by brown algae. Water Res 37:4311–4330

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dawczynski C, Schubert R, Jahreis G (2007) Amino acids, fatty acids, and dietary fibre in edible seaweed products. Food Chem 103:891–899

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de la Coba F, Aguilera J, de Galves MV, Alvarez M, Figueroa FL, Herrera E (2009) Prevention of ultraviolet effects on clinical and histopathological changes, as well as the heat shock protein-70 expression in mouse skin by topical application of algal UV-absorbing compounds. J Dermatol Sci 55:161–169

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fails A, Corda M, Era B, Fadda MB, Matos MJ, Quezada E, Santana L, Picciau C, Podda G, Delogu G (2009) Tyrosinase inhibitor activity of coumarin-resveratrol hybrids. Molecules 14:2514–2520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher GJ, Kang S, Varani J, Csorgo ZB, Wan Y, Datta S, Voorhees JJ (2002) Mechanisms of photoaging and chronological skin aging. Arch Dermatol 138:1462–1470

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fitton JH, Irhimeh M, Falk N (2007) Macroalgal fucoidan extracts: a new opportunity for marine cosmetics. Cosmet Toilet 122:55–64

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fujii T, Wakaizumi M, Ikami T, Saito M (2008) Amla (E. officinalis Gaertn.) extract procollagen production and inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human skin fibroblasts. J Etnopharmacol 119:53–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao XH, Zhang L, Wei H, Chen HD (2008) Efficiency and safety of innovative cosmeceuticals. Clin Dermatol 26:367–374

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glombitza KW, Hauperich S (1997) Phlorotannins from the brown alga C. torulosa. Phytochemistry 46:735–740

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guan Y, Chu Q, Fu L, Ye J (2005) Determination of antioxidants in cosmetics by micellar electrokinetics capillary chromatography with electrochemical detection. J Chromatogr A 1074:201–204

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han X, Shen T, Lou H (2007) Dietary polyphenols and their biological significance. Int J Mol Sci 8:950–988

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heo SJ, Jeon YJ (2009) Protective effect of fucoxanthin isolated from S. siliquastrum on UV-B induced cell damage. J Photoch Photobiol B 95:101–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heo SJ, Ko SC, Kang SM, Kang HS, Kim JP, Kim SH, Lee KW, Kim JP, Kim SH, Lee KW, Cho MG, Jeon YJ (2008) Cytoprotective effect of fucoxanthin isolated from brown algae S. siliquastrum against H2O2-induced cell damage. Eur Food Technol 228Z:145–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heo SJ, Ko SC, Cha SH, Kang DH, Park HS, Choi YU, Kim D, Jung WK, Jeon YJ (2009) Effect of phlorotannins isolated from E. cava on melanogenesis and their protective effect against photo-oxidative stress induced by UV-B radiation. Toxicol In Vitro 23:1123–1130

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heo SJ, Ko SC, Kang SM, Cha SH, Lee SH, Kang DH, Jung WK, Affan A, Oh C, Jeon YJ (2010) Inhibitory effect against UV-B radiation-induced cell damage. Food Chem Toxicol 48:1355–1361

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hosokawa M, Kudo M, Maeda H, Konho H, Tanaka T, Miyashita K (2004) Fucoxanthin induces apoptosis and enhances the antiproliferative effect of the PPARγ ligand, troglitazone, on colon cancer cells. Biochim Acta 1675:113–119

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins G (2002) Molecular mechanisms of skin aging. Mech Ageing Dev 123:801–810

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Z, Okimura T, Yokose T, Yamasaki Y, Yamaguchi K, Oda T (2010) Effect of sulfated, ascopphyllan, from the brown alga A. nodosum on various cell lines: a comparative study on ascophyllan and fucoidan. J Biosci Bioeng 110:113–117

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jung WK, Ahn YW, Lee SH, Choi YH, Kim SK, Yea SS, Choi I, Park SG, Seo SK, Lee SW, Choi IW (2009) Ecklonia cava ethanolic extracts inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygrnase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in BV2 microglia via the MMP kinase and NF-κB patheays. Food Chem Toxicol 47:410–417

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamatou GPP, Zyl RLV, Vuuren SFV, Figueiredo AC, Barroso JG, Pedro LG, Viljoen AM (2008) Seasonal variation in oil composition, oil toxicity and the biological activity of solvent extracts of three South African Salvia species. S Afr J Bot 74:230–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kang HS, Kim HR, Byun DS, Son BW, Nam TJ, Choi JS (2004) Tyrosinase inhibitors isolated from the edible brown alga E. stolonifera. Arch Pharm Res 27:1226–1232

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kang KA, Lee KH, Chae S, Zhang R, Jung MS, Lee Y, Kim SY, Kim HS, Hong GJ, Park JW, Ham YM, Lee NH, Hyun JW (2005) Eckol isolated from E. cava attenuates oxidative stress induced cell damage in lung fibroblast cells. FEBS Lett 579:6295–6304

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kang KA, Zhang R, Lee KH, Chae S, Kim BJ, Kwak YS, Park JW, Lee NH, Hyun JW (2006) Protective effect of Triphloretheol-A from E. cava against ionizing radiation in vitro. J Radiat Res 47:61–68

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kang KA, Lee KH, Park JW, Lee NH, Na HK, Surh YJ, You HJ, Chung MH, Hyun JW (2007) Triphlorethol-A induces heme oxygenase-1 via activation of ERK and NF-E2nrelated factor 2 transcription factor. FEBS Lett 581:2000–2008

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kashman Y, Rudi A (2004) On the biosynthesis of marine isoprenoids. Phytochem Rev 3:309–323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kazlowska K, Hsu T, Hou CC, Yang WC, Tsai GJ (2010) Antiinflammatory properties of phenolic compounds and crude extract from P. dentata. J Ethanopharmacol 128:123–130

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim MM, Ta QV, Mendis E, Rajapakse N, Jung WK, Byun HG, Jeon YJ, Kim SK (2006) Phlorotannins in E. cava extract inhibit matrix metalloproteinase activity. Life Sci 79:1436–1443

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim KJ, Lee OH, Lee BY (2010a) Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, inhibits adipogenesis through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in 3T3–L1 preadipocytes. Life Sci 86:791–797

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim KM, Heo SJ, Kang SM, Ahn G, Jeon YJ (2010b) Fucoxanthin induces apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells through a ROS-mediated Bcl-xL pathway. Toxicol In Vitro 24:1648–1654

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kladi M, Vagias C, Roussis V (2004) Volatile halogenated metabolites from red algae. Phytochem Rev 3:337–366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ko SC, Cha SH, Heo SJ, Lee SH, Kang SM, Jeon YJ (2010) Protective effect of E. cava on UVB-induced oxidative stress: in vitro and in vivo zebrafish model. J Appl Phycol (in press). doi:10.1007/s10811-010-9565-z

  • Kochanek KS, Brenneisen P, Wenk J, Herrmann G, Ma W, Kuhr L, Meewes C, Wlaschek M (2000) Photoaging of the skin from phenotype to mechanisms. Exp Gerontol 35:307–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koivikko R, Loponen J, Honkanen T, Jormalainen V (2005) Contents of soluble, cell-wall-bound and exuded phlorotannins in the brown alga F. vesiculosus, with implications on their ecological aspects. J Chem Ecol 31:195–212

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le QT, Li Y, Qian ZJ, Kim MM, Kim SK (2009) Inhibitory effects of polyphenols isolated from marine algae E. cava on histamine release. Process Biochem 44:168–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leal D, Rossi M, Caruso F (2008) FT-IR spectra of alginic acid block fractions in three species of brown seaweeds. Carbohyd Res 343:308–316

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee JH, Park JC, Choi JS (1996) The antioxidant activity of E. stolonifera. Arch Pharm Res 19:223–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee NY, Ermakova SP, Zvyagintseva TN, Kang KW, Dong Z, Choi S (2008) Inhibitory effects of fucoidan on activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and cell transformation in JB6 C141 cells. Food Chem Toxicol 46:1793–1800

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LI B, Lu F, Wei X, Zhao R (2008) Fucoidan: structure and bioactivity. Molecules 13:1671–1695

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Quian ZJ, Ryu B, Lee SH, Kim MM, Kim SK (2009) Chemical components and its antioxidant properties in vitro: an edible marine brown alga, E. cava. Bioorg Med Chem 17:1963–1973

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Likhitwitayawuid K (2008) Stilbenes with tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Curr Sci 94:44–52

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lupo MP (2001) Antioxidants and vitamins in cosmetics. Clin Dermatol 19:467–473

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maeda H, Hosokawa M, Sashima T, Funayama K, Miyashita K (2005) Fucoxanthin from edible seaweed, U. pinnatifida, shows antiobesity effect through UCP1 expression in white adipose tissues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 332:392–397

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masaki H (2010) Role of antioxidants in the skin: anti-aging effects. J Dermatol Sci 58:85–90

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matou S, Helley D, Chabut D, Bros A, Fisher AM (2002) Effect of fucoidan on fibroblast growth factor-2-induced angiogenesis in vitro. Thomb Res 106:213–221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moon H, Chung JH, Lee JK, Zee OP (2004) Triterpenoid saponin from V. hondoensis W. Becker, H. Boss and their effect on MMP-1 and type 1 procollagen expressin. Arch Pharm Res 27:730–733

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore DE, Miao WG, Benikos C (2004) Quantitative determination of alginicacid in pharmaceutical formulations using capillary electrophoresis. J Pharmaceut Biomed 34:233–238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nohynek GI, Antignac E, Re T, Toutain H (2010) Safety assessment of personal care products/cosmetics and their ingredients. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 243:239–259

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan AM, O’Callaghan YC, O’Grady MN, Queguineur B, Hanniffy D, Troy DJ, Kerry JP, O’Brien NM (2011) In vitro and cellular antioxidant activities of seaweed extracts prepared from five seaweeds harvested in spring from the west coast of Ireland. Food Chem 126:1064–1070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plaza M, Cifuentes A, Ibanez E (2008) In the search of new functional food ingredients from algae. Trends Food Sci Tech 19:31–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy P, Urban S (2009) Meroditerpenoids from the southern Australian marine brown alga S. fallax. Phytochemistry 70:250–255

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reszko AE, Berson D, Lupo MP (2009) Cosmeceuticals: practical applications. Dermatol Clin 27:401–416

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rioux LE, Turgeon SL, Beaulieu M (2009) Effect of season on the composition of bioactive polysaccharides from the brown seaweed S. longicruris. Phytochemistry 70:1069–1075

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryu B, Li Y, Qian ZJ, Kim MM, Kim SK (2008) Exhibitory effects of compounds from brown alga E. cava on the human osteoblasts. Abstr J Biotechnol 136S:S588

    Google Scholar 

  • Satomi Y, Nishino H (2009) Implication of mitogen-activated protein kinase in the induction of G1 cell cycle arrests and gadd45 expression by the carotenoid fucoxanthin in human cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Acta 790:260–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Schurch C, Blum P, Zulli F (2008) Potential plant cells in culture for cosmetic application. Phytochem Rev 7:599–605

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shang YF, Kim SM, Lee WJ, Um BH (2010) Pressurized liquid method for fucoxanthin extraction from E. bicyclis (kjellman) setchell. J Biosci Bioeng (in press). doi:10.1016/j.jbiosc

  • Shibata T, Yamaguchi K, Nagayama K, Kawagushi S, Nakamura T (2002) Inhibitory activity of brown algal phlorotannins against glycosidases from the viscera of the turban shell T. cornutus. Eur J Phycol 37:493–500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sima VH, Patris S, Aydogmus Z, Sarakbi A, Sandulescu R, Kauffmann JM (2011) Tyosinase immobilized magnetic nanobeads for the amperometric assay of enzyme inhibitors: application to the skin whitening agents. Talanta 83:980–987

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun T, Ho CT (2005) Antioxidant activities of buckwheat extracts. Food Chem 90:743–749

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Susanto S, Feng Y, Ulbricht M (2009) Fouling behavior of aqueous solutions of polyphenolic compounds during ultrafiltration. J Food Eng 91:333–340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teruya T, Konishi T, Uechi S, Tamaki H, Tako M (2007) Anti-proliferative activity of oversulfated fucoidan from commercially cultured C. okamuranus TOKIDA in U937 cells. Int J Biol Macromol 41:221–226

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thiele JJ, Podda M, Packer L (1997) Tropospheric ozone an emerging environmental stress to skin. Biol Chem 378:1299–1305

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torres A, Enk CD, Hochberg M, Srebnic M (2006) Porphyra-334: a potential natural source for UVA protective screens. Photochem Photobio S 5:432–435

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Xu Z, Bach SJ, McAllister TA (2008) Effects of phlorotanninsfrom A. nodosum (brown seaweed) on in vitro ruminal digestion of mixed forage or barley rain. Anim Feed Sci Tech 145:375–395

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weber C, Podda M, Rallis M, Thiele JJ, Traber MG, Packer L (1997) Efficacy of topically applied tocopherols and tocotrienols in protection of murine skin from oxidative damage induced by UV-irradiation. Free Radic Biol Med 22:761–769

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wijesinghe WAJP, Won-Woo L, Young-Mog K, Young-Tae K, Se-Kwon K, Byong-Tae J, Jin-Soo K, Min-Soo H, Won-Kyo J, Ahn G, Lee KW, Jeon YJ (2011) Value-added fermentation of E. cava processing by-product and its antioxidant effect. J Appl Phycol. doi:10.1007/s10811-011-9668-1

  • Woo MN, Jeon SM, Kim HJ, Lee MK, Shin SK, Shin YC, Park YB, Choi MS (2010) Fucoxanthin supplementation improves plasma and hepatic metabolism and blood glucose concentration in high-fat fed C57BL/6N mice. Chem Biol Interact 186:316–322

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu G, Snellman E, Bykov VJ, Jansen CT, Hemminki K (2000) Effect of age on the formation and repair of UV photoproducts in human skin situ. Mutat Res 459:195–202

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamasaki M, Ogura K, Hashimoto W, Mikami B, Murata K (2005) A structural basis for depolymerization of alginate by polysaccharide lyase family-7. J Mol Biol 352:11–21

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang L, Zhang LM (2009) Chemical structural and chain conformational characterization of some bioactive polysaccharides isolated from natural sources. Carbohydr Polym 76:349–361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon NY, Eom TK, Kim MM, Kim SK (2009) Inhibitory effect of phlorotannins isolated from E. cava on mushroom tyrosinase activity and melanin formation in mouse B16F10melanoma cells. J Agr Food Chem 57:4124–4129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zvyagintseva TN, Shevchenko NM, Chizhov AO, Krupnova TN, Sundukova EV, Isakov VV (2003) Water-soluble polysaccharides of some far-eastern brown seaweeds. Distribution, structure and their dependence on the developmental conditions. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 294:1–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756, Republic of Korea

    W. A. J. P. Wijesinghe & You-Jin Jeon

  2. Marine and Environmental Research Institute, Jeju National University, Hamdok, Jeju, 695-814, Republic of Korea

    You-Jin Jeon

Authors
  1. W. A. J. P. Wijesinghe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. You-Jin Jeon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to You-Jin Jeon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wijesinghe, W.A.J.P., Jeon, YJ. Biological activities and potential cosmeceutical applications of bioactive components from brown seaweeds: a review. Phytochem Rev 10, 431–443 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-011-9214-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-011-9214-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation