for NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to avoid the side effects of
NSAIDs like gastric ulcer, bleeding, etc. (Ellis 2001).
Marine seaweeds also exert anti-inflammatory activities. For example, fucoxanthin derived from brown algae helps to decrease the production of prostaglandin
(E2) (PGE2) and inhibits COX-2 protein expressions. The sulfoglycolipidic fraction
(SF) derived from Porphyridium cruentum includes a high concentration of palmitic acids (26.1%), archidonic acid (6.8%), EPA (16.6%) and omega -9 fatty acids
(10.5%) and thus it exhibits anti-inflammatory activity (Park et al. 2011). In
addition, heterofucan isolated from brown algae Dictyota menstrualis inhibits the
leukocyte migration and reduces the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Moreover, Fucoidan isolated from seaweed E. Cava decreases COX-2, nitric acid,
and prostaglandins (Gunnarsdottir et al. 2008).
17.3.7 Neuroprotective Agents
Neurodegenerative diseases refer to the death of a certain part of the brain due to
some illness which generally occurs in the older age group. These are generally
incurable which results in progressively degeneration of the nervous system (CNS
as well as ANS) and neurons Ferrari et al. (2008), Gordaliza (2010). The most
common neurodegenerative diseases are Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's disease. Many synthetic compounds are available in the market for the treatment of
neurodegenerative diseases but they all involve certain side effects such as anxiety,
nervousness, drowsiness (Pal et al. 2008, 2009; Pal and Mazumder 2014; Gupta
et al. 2003), mouth dryness or tiredness, etc. (Shibata et al. 2008; Davies-Coleman
2012). For this reason, many scientists and researchers have focused on the
development of novel naturally derived drugs with low side effects.
There are various causes for neurodegenerative disease and oxidative stress is
one of them. Oxidative stress occurs due to an imbalance between pro-oxidant and
anti-oxidant homeostasis that further results in the occurrence of toxic reactive
oxygen species. Our CNS is very much sensitive to oxidative stress and that results
in lipid peroxidation, DNA, and protein damage and ultimately becomes the reason
for neuronal death. Thus, antioxidants become a major saviour for the prevention of
neurodegenerative diseases. Lim et al. demonstrate that Neorhodomela aculeate,
which is also known as Rhodomela confervoides, is able to scavenge DPPH with an
IC50 = 90 lg/mL It at a concentration of 20 lg/mL completely suppresses H 2 O 2
induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate (Maeda et al. 2007). In addition,
lowering the risk of neurodegenerative disease and high DHA blood levels is
interlinked. Experimental studies on animal models suggest that DHA depletion can
result in amyloid protein accumulation and hyperphosphorylation of tau and can
become the reason for Alzheimer's disease (Santiago-Santos et al. 2004). Many
works of literature and reports suggest that an adequate intake of fish and marine
algae can help to maintain the DHA blood level and can help in the prevention of
Alzheimer's disease. Houghton et al. Suggest in his report that
608
D. Pal and K. Raj
NSAIDs like gastric ulcer, bleeding, etc. (Ellis 2001).
Marine seaweeds also exert anti-inflammatory activities. For example, fucoxanthin derived from brown algae helps to decrease the production of prostaglandin
(E2) (PGE2) and inhibits COX-2 protein expressions. The sulfoglycolipidic fraction
(SF) derived from Porphyridium cruentum includes a high concentration of palmitic acids (26.1%), archidonic acid (6.8%), EPA (16.6%) and omega -9 fatty acids
(10.5%) and thus it exhibits anti-inflammatory activity (Park et al. 2011). In
addition, heterofucan isolated from brown algae Dictyota menstrualis inhibits the
leukocyte migration and reduces the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Moreover, Fucoidan isolated from seaweed E. Cava decreases COX-2, nitric acid,
and prostaglandins (Gunnarsdottir et al. 2008).
17.3.7 Neuroprotective Agents
Neurodegenerative diseases refer to the death of a certain part of the brain due to
some illness which generally occurs in the older age group. These are generally
incurable which results in progressively degeneration of the nervous system (CNS
as well as ANS) and neurons Ferrari et al. (2008), Gordaliza (2010). The most
common neurodegenerative diseases are Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's disease. Many synthetic compounds are available in the market for the treatment of
neurodegenerative diseases but they all involve certain side effects such as anxiety,
nervousness, drowsiness (Pal et al. 2008, 2009; Pal and Mazumder 2014; Gupta
et al. 2003), mouth dryness or tiredness, etc. (Shibata et al. 2008; Davies-Coleman
2012). For this reason, many scientists and researchers have focused on the
development of novel naturally derived drugs with low side effects.
There are various causes for neurodegenerative disease and oxidative stress is
one of them. Oxidative stress occurs due to an imbalance between pro-oxidant and
anti-oxidant homeostasis that further results in the occurrence of toxic reactive
oxygen species. Our CNS is very much sensitive to oxidative stress and that results
in lipid peroxidation, DNA, and protein damage and ultimately becomes the reason
for neuronal death. Thus, antioxidants become a major saviour for the prevention of
neurodegenerative diseases. Lim et al. demonstrate that Neorhodomela aculeate,
which is also known as Rhodomela confervoides, is able to scavenge DPPH with an
IC50 = 90 lg/mL It at a concentration of 20 lg/mL completely suppresses H 2 O 2
induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate (Maeda et al. 2007). In addition,
lowering the risk of neurodegenerative disease and high DHA blood levels is
interlinked. Experimental studies on animal models suggest that DHA depletion can
result in amyloid protein accumulation and hyperphosphorylation of tau and can
become the reason for Alzheimer's disease (Santiago-Santos et al. 2004). Many
works of literature and reports suggest that an adequate intake of fish and marine
algae can help to maintain the DHA blood level and can help in the prevention of
Alzheimer's disease. Houghton et al. Suggest in his report that
608
D. Pal and K. Raj