Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Deficient Pms2, ERCC1, Ku86, CcOI in Field Defects During Progression to Colon Cancer
28:15

Deficient Pms2, ERCC1, Ku86, CcOI in Field Defects During Progression to Colon Cancer

Published on: July 28, 2010

Microalgal compounds modulate carcinogenesis in the gastrointestinal tract

Helena M Amaro1, Rita Barros, A Catarina Guedes

  • 1Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Rua dos Bragas no. 289, P-4050-123 Porto, Portugal.

Trends in Biotechnology
|December 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Microalgae compounds like carotenoids and sulfated polysaccharides show promise in preventing gastric cancer by combating Helicobacter pylori infection and its related pathologies.

Area of Science:

  • Marine Biotechnology
  • Cancer Chemoprevention
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal cancers are a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
  • Helicobacter pylori infection is a primary etiological factor in gastric cancer development.
  • Microalgae synthesize bioactive compounds with potential health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the antitumor and antibacterial properties of microalgal compounds.
  • To emphasize the impact of these compounds on H. pylori infection and gastric carcinogenesis.
  • To highlight the chemopreventive potential of microalgae-derived substances.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on microalgae and cancer chemoprevention.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on specific microalgal compounds (carotenoids, sulfated polysaccharides, PUFAs).
  • Examination of evidence regarding the effects on H. pylori and gastric pathologies.

Main Results:

  • Sulfated polysaccharides can prevent pathogen adhesion to the gastric lining.
  • Carotenoids demonstrate efficacy against H. pylori infections.
  • Microalgal compounds exhibit chemopreventive activities at various carcinogenesis stages.

Conclusions:

  • Microalgae represent a valuable source of natural compounds for gastric cancer prevention.
  • Targeting H. pylori with microalgae-derived agents is a promising strategy.
  • Further research into microalgal compounds can lead to novel therapeutic approaches for gastrointestinal cancers.

More Related Videos

Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice09:01

Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice

Published on: March 10, 2015

A Simple Device to Rapidly Prepare Whole Mounts of the Mouse Intestine05:49

A Simple Device to Rapidly Prepare Whole Mounts of the Mouse Intestine

Published on: October 27, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
Red Algae01:23

Red Algae

Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...
Green Algae01:21

Green Algae

Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...