Marine algae osteoporosis

Collectively, it may assume that marine algae would be a potent natural source for the development of functional foods and pharmaceuticals to prevent osteoporosis. Moreover, it is important to evaluate other marine algae species which may have a great potential as antiosteoporosis agent. 

One of the important natural product investigations from marine algae is to focus on the pharmaceutically important compounds that can be applied in bone health. Osteoporosis is one of the bone diseases caused by an imbalance between bone formation and resorption. Promotion of osteoblast differentiation is one of the best therapeutic ways to combat osteoporosis. Osteoblasts are the cells responsible for bone formation by increasing the proliferation of the osteoblastic lineage or inducing differentiation of the... 

Sargassum fusiforme has recently been shown to have antiosteoporosis activity. This extract suppressed both osteoclast differentiation and accelerated osteoblast formation in separate in vitro experiments. It also showed antiosteoporosis activity in ovariecto-mized mice by regulating the balance between bone resorption and bone formation. These marine algae and their extracts may be sources of marine medicinal foods for the prevention of osteoporosis. 

Extracts and purified compounds from various marine algae have been reported to suppress osteoclast differentiation. Further studies to elucidate the detailed mechanisms and the responsible components may hopefully show that these marine algae are a potential source of marine medicinal foods to prevent osteoporosis and related diseases. 

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