Journal article
Towards a better understanding of medicinal uses of the brown seaweed genus Sargassum in traditional Chinese medicine: a phytochemical and pharmacological review
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Vol.142, pp.591-619
2012
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Abstract
<p>Ethnopharmacological relevance</p>
<p>Sargassumspp., a brown seaweed, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat a variety of diseases including thyroid disease (e.g. goitre).</p>
<p>Aims of the review</p>
<p>To assess the scientific evidence for therapeutic claims made for <em>Sargassum</em> spp. in TCM and to identify future research needs.</p>
<p>Background and methods</p>
<p>A systematic search for the use of <em>Sargassum</em> in classical TCM books was conducted and linked to a search for modern phytochemical and pharmacological data on <em>Sargassum</em> spp. retrieved from PubMed, Web of Knowledge, SciFinder Scholar and CNKI (in Chinese).</p>
<p>Results and discussion</p>
<p>>The therapeutic effects of <em>Sargassum</em> spp. are scientifically plausible and may be explained partially by key <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em> pharmacological activities of <em>Sargassum</em>, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral activities. Although the mechanism of actions is still not clear, the pharmacological activities could be mainly attributed to the major biologically active metabolites, meroterpenoids, phlorotanins and fucoidans. The contribution of iodine in <em>Sargassum</em> for treating thyroid related diseases seem to have been over estimated.</p>
<p>Conclusions</p>
<p>The bioactive compounds in <em>Sargassum</em> spp. appear to play a role as immunomodulators and could be useful in the treatment of thyroid related diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Further research is required to determine both the preventative and therapeutic role of <em>Sargassum</em> spp. in thyroid health.</p>
Details
- Title
- Towards a better understanding of medicinal uses of the brown seaweed genus Sargassum in traditional Chinese medicine: a phytochemical and pharmacological review
- Creators
- Lei Liu - Southern Cross UniversityMichael Heinrich - Southern Cross UniversityStephen P Myers - Southern Cross UniversitySymon Anthony Dworjanyn - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Vol.142, pp.591-619
- Identifiers
- 2411; 991012820807902368
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry; School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Southern Cross Plant Science; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Resource Type
- Journal article