Abstract

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT- BROWN SEAWEED TURBINARIA ORNATA AND PADINA PAVONIA BY AZOXYMETHANE

Tanima Debnath Sarkar* and P. Senthil Elango

ABSTRACT

Brown algae have δ13 C value in the range of -30.0% to -10.5%, in contrast of the red algae and greens. This reflects their different metabolic pathway.[1] They have cellulose walls with alginic acid and also contain the polysaccharide fucoidan in the amorphous sections of their cell wall. A few species (of Padina) calcify with aragonite needles.[2] In addition to alginates, fucoidan and cellulose, the carbohydrate composition of brown algae consist of mannitol, laminarin and glucan.[3] The photosynthetic system of brown algae is made of a P700 complex contain chlorophyll c and carotenoids (the most widespread of those being fucoxanthin).[4] Brown algae produce a specific type of tannin called phlorotannins in higher amounts than red algae do. There are several brown algae such as Gracilaria crassa, Turbinaria ornata, Laurencia papillosa, Sargassum swartzii, Sargassum fluitans, Padina pavonia, Sargassum binderi, Sargassum tenerrimum, sargassum variegatum, Sargassum polycystum, etc which are acting as a hepatoprotective drug. This article discusses hepatoprotective activity of Turbinaria ornata and Padina pavonia brown seaweeds by azoxymethane (AOM).

Keywords: Brown seaweed, Metabolic pathway, Alginic acid, Fucoidan, P700 complex, fucoxanthin, Phlorotannin.