Pharmacological Potential of Ulva Species: a Valuable Resource

Journal of Analytical & Pharmaceutical Research

Pharmacological Potential of Ulva Species: A Valuable Resource

Abstract Mini Review

With the emergence of new diseases, the increase of pathogenic strains resistance Volume 6 Issue 1 - 2017 and the apprehensiveness of synthetic compounds side effects, there is a constant need to find natural and low toxicity drug candidates. Seaweeds are rich source of original and bioactive natural substances. In particular, species of the genus National Institute of Marine Sciences and Tecnologies Ulva have been demonstrated to metabolize biomolecules with pharmacological (INSTM), Tunisia potential. This mini review present some of the biological properties reported for Ulva spp. *Corresponding author: Leila Ktari, National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies - INSTM, 28, Rue du 2 Keywords: Green seaweed; Ulva; Antibacterial; Anti-inflammatory; Cytotoxic; mars, Salammbô 1934-2025, Tunisia, Tel: +216071276121; Antiviral; Antiprotozoal; Antioxidant Fax: +216071276121; Email:

Received: August 28, 2017 | Published: September 06, 2017

Introduction As for example, two guaiane sesquiterpenes derivatives from Ulva Ulva Linnaeus genus (Ulvaceae, Ulvales) is an ubiquitous genus fasciatastudies, the actives compounds have been isolated and identified. widely distributed in oceans and estuaries. Currently, 128 species against Vibrio parahaemolyticus [12]. (accepted taxonomically) have been listed all around the world have been described with significant antibacterial activity [1]. Individuals of this genus are characterized by a broad range Recently [15] demonstrated that time of harvesting of the of environmental tolerance, high growth rate and photosynthetic activity leading to a relatively abundant natural biomass. reported that U. lactuca methanolic extracts inhibit a range of Aditionnaly, in a rich nutrient environment, these species can clinicallyalgae can influencerelevant theStaphylococcus antibacterial strains. activity. Moreover,In fact, these the authors study proliferate into green tides, making available important amounts of biomass [2]. On the other hand, the successful results obtained impacts antimicrobial activity, suggesting that antimicrobial for Ulva spp. cultivation in integrated multitrophic aquaculture propertiesshowed that can lunar be maximized phase of macrolagaeby manipulating harvest time significantly of algal (IMTA) systems [3] or in land based aquaculture coupled with harvest. waste water bioremediation [4] allows promising development It’s worth to mention the use of Ulva extracts to synthesize nanoparticules [16,17]. This technique, is a novel and innovative interest for this taxonomic genus has increased [5]. The area of research for biomedical applications. As for example, the cosmopolitanfor sustainable nature raw materialof spp., supply. its Thisdevelopment last decade, patterns scientific and Ulva study of antifungal potency of silver (Ag-NP) synthesized by Ulva plasticity, among other reasons make it a good model organism rigida aqueous extract tested on different human pathogens and to study algal growth, development and morphogenesis [6]. From Aspergilus fumigates [18]. an economic perspective, the use of Ulva species for different applications has been largely described: bioremediation [7], Anti-Inflammatorywith significant activity obtained on industrial exploitation of Ulva constituents have been proposed Ulva genus have [10].bioenergy To realize [8], foodan economically and feed [9]. feasible A biorefinery value chain, approach cascading for been reported in different studies. Ulva rigida collected from Anti-inflammatory activity of species from valorization of both protein and non-protein seaweed constituents 2 is required. We here present a mini review of pharmacological activity (PLA2 of Apis melifera). The bioassay guided fractionation Tunisian coasts showed a significant inhibition of phospholipase A perspectives for species of the genus Ulva. of dichloromethane/methanol extract led to the isolation and

Antibacterial and Antifungal active molecule with an IC50 of 125µM [19]. identification of sulfoquinovosyldipalmitoyl glyceride as the The constant increase of pathogenic microbes resistance isolated from Ulva lactuca antibacterial candidates. Marine algae derivatives seem to be activityA steroid, when tested the 3-O-β-D on the mouse glucopyranosyl-stigmasta-5,25-dien ear oedema assay [20]. Organic goodto existing candidates antibiotics in novel, led toantibacterial the continual drug need discovery to find [11]. new extracts of Ulva conglobata ,displayed showed neuroprotective topical antiinflammatory and anti- Antimicrobial properties of Ulva species have been widely studied. Crude extracts of Ulva spp. samples often displayed cells [21]. U. reticulata presented potent analgesic and anti- positive antibacterial and/or antifungal activities for samples inflammatory effects on murine hippocampal and microglial collected from different parts of the world [12-14]. In some inflammatory effects in both acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate-induced pain models, without significant toxic effect at

highest possible doses [22]. More recently, sulfated polysaccharide reported [33] highlighting the antiprotozoal potential of Ulva fraction from Ulva lactuca (collected from atlantic coasts from lactuca extract. In fact, U. lactuca displayed the most potent activity against axenic amastigotes of Leshmania donovani with action [23]. The authors demonstrated that the antinoceptive and IC50 Brazil) displayed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory antiprotozoal activity of four green marine algae collected from the bradykinin pathway. british=5.9ml/ml coasts, andamong efficiently which two inhibited Ulva thespecies FabI ( U. enzyme. intestinalis The anti-inflammatory action occurs through a peripheral mechanism: and U. lactuca) have been prospected [34]. All crude extracts Cytotoxic showed positive antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma There are several studies that demonstrate the cytotoxic brucei rhodesiense while a moderate trypanocidal activity against potential of Ulva species. Methanol extract of Ulva fasciata Trypanosoma cruzi rupestris have been obtained for U. lactuta extract. on hepatocyte carcinoma cells lines (Hep-G2) with optimum inhibitioncollected from obtained Indian atcoasts 170µg/ml exhibited [24]. significant Additionnaly, cytotoxic ethanolic activity Other extract of Ulva rigida collected from Marmara Sea shores possess Last but not least, the antioxidant property of species of the a strong antigenotoxic, chemo- protective effects on mutagenic genus Ulva has to be described since this make them candidates for agent MMC in vitro [25]. These authors conclude that the obtained several pathologies in which the oxidative stress is incriminated results for U. rigida extract (antigenotoxic and anti-clastogenic) (neurological disorders, atherosclerosis, hypertension, acute useful in human pathological conditions. More recently, cytotoxic cancer, etc.). The antioxidant properties of Ulva spp. have been activityare of greatagainst significance three human in cancer radioprotection cell lines (HepG2, and thus MCF7, may and be studiedrespiratory form distress,species collected idiopathic from pulmonary different part fibrosis, of the asthma, world Hela) have been attributed to ulvan fraction extracted from Ulva [10,35,36]. As for example, the antioxidant activity, contents of lactuca collected from Vietnam coasts [26]. extracts of four Ulva species [37]. Ulva clathrata demonstrated total phenolics and flavonoids were quantified in the methanolic Antiviral the greater antioxidant potential with a low IC50 of 0.881mg/ml, First mention of antiviral properties of Ulva spp. have been made in early nineties [27] with a bioactive sphingosine from Ulva (5.080mg GAE/g and 33.094mg RE/g respectively). In addition, corresponding also to the highest phenolic and flavonoid content fasciata collected from West coast of India. The extract showed the free radical scavenging effects of hot water extract of Ulva antiviral activity against Semeliki Forest Virus (SFV) at 20mg/ reticulata obtained on animal model studies highlighted the mouse/7 days. possible use of this specie to reduce hepatic oxidative stress [38]. Ulva rigida Conclusion This mini review just sketches the potential of Ulva species eggs [28]. The study water pointed extracts that inhibited extract significantly reduced the Ulva rigida for pharmacological use. This report reinforce the claims that reproduction of influenza virus (A/Aichi (H3N2)) also in fertile seaweeds, and in particular species of the genus Ulva, can be used when applied orally and extended the time of survival. Extracts of in heath industry. Additionally, Ulva species, with their wide range Ulvamortality fasciata rate, collected of white from mice Brazilian in experimental coasts have influenza been evaluated infection on the replication of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) [29]. The that can also be cultivated in a sustainable way, constitute good results demonstrated that the majority of the extracts possess candidatesof application for Blue fields, Biotechnology their relatively development. abundant natural biomass, virucidal activity and therefore have the ability to interact with the extracellular viral particles and prevent the infection. Ulvan, Conflict of Interest that are sulfated polysacahride, have been described to have antiviral properties. The ulvan antiviral activity was tested using syncytia formation against paramyxovirus infection, exhibiting ReferencesAuthor declare that there is no conflict of interest. 50 1. 1significant from U. activityarmoricana with extract an IC have of 0.1μg/ml been described [30]. In [31]. addition, The publication, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. significant antiviral activities against Herpes simplex virus type- Guiry MD, Guiry GM (2017) Algae Base. World-wide electronic revealed activities were correlated to high amounts of rhamnose, 2. Smetacek V, Zingone A (2013) Green and golden seaweed tides on uronic acids and sulfate groups which are the main constituents the rise. Nature 504: 84-88. of ulvans. 3. Marinho G, Nunes C, Sousa-Pinto I, Pereira R, Rema P, et al. (2013) Antiprotozoal The IMTA-cultivated Chlorophyta Ulva spp. as a sustainable ingredient in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets. 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Citation: 10.15406/japlr.2017.06.00165 Ktari L (2017) Pharmacological Potential of Ulva Species: A Valuable Resource. J Anal Pharm Res 6(1): 00165. DOI: Copyright: Pharmacological Potential of Ulva Species: A Valuable Resource ©2017 Ktari 3/4

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Citation: 10.15406/japlr.2017.06.00165 Ktari L (2017) Pharmacological Potential of Ulva Species: A Valuable Resource. J Anal Pharm Res 6(1): 00165. DOI: