Characterizing Eckol as a Therapeutic Aid: A Systematic Review.

Bandana Manandhar,Jae Sue Choi,Su Hui Seong,Pradeep Paudel,Hyun Ah Jung

doi:10.3390/md17060361

Bandana Manandhar, Jae Sue Choi + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/md17060361

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Abstract

The marine biosphere is a treasure trove of natural bioactive secondary metabolites and the richest source of structurally diverse and unique compounds, such as phlorotannins and halo-compounds, with high therapeutic potential. Eckol is a precursor compound representing the dibenzo-1,4-dioxin class of phlorotannins abundant in the Ecklonia species, which are marine brown algae having a ubiquitous distribution. In search of compounds having biological activity from macro algae during the past three decades, this particular compound has attracted massive attention for its multiple therapeutic properties and health benefits. Although several varieties of marine algae, seaweed, and phlorotannins have already been well scrutinized, eckol deserves a place of its own because of the therapeutic properties it possesses. The relevant information about this particular compound has not yet been collected in one place; therefore, this review focuses on its biological applications, including its potential health benefits and possible applications to restrain diseases leading to good health. The facts compiled in this review could contribute to novel insights into the functions of eckol and potentially enable its use in different uninvestigated fields.

Highlights

Seaweed refers to a diverse group of macroscopic, multicellular, and marine algae
Numerous efforts to establish natural biomarkers for the treatment of various ailments have improved our understanding of their functions and activity
Introducing eckol to various new receptors related to different diseases, other than the usual ones, could be of great interest

Summary

Introduction

Seaweed refers to a diverse group of macroscopic, multicellular, and marine algae. Marine algae have been consumed as sea vegetables for the diet and ingredients in medicine since ancient times in countries including Korea, China, and Japan [1]. One of the earth’s affluent sources of natural antioxidants and antimicrobials are seaweeds [2,3,4,5]. Brown algae, including Ecklonia species and Ishige okamurae, have been considerably evaluated as these species contains phlorotannins [9]. Phlorotannins with both phenyl and phenoxy units having different molecular weights are present in the marine brown algae [10]

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