Brown Algae Extract Research Articles

Hepatoprotective Effect of Padina gymnospora in Albino Wistar Rat; A Biochemical and Histopathological Studies

The methanolic extract of brown algae, Padina gymnospora (PG) was tested for hepatoprotective properties against paracetamol (acetaminophen, APAP)-induced liver damage in male albino Wistar rat through in-vitro model. Liver is damaged by the variation of serum enzymatic and biochemical markers, such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT or AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT or ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, albumin, and lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were measured by SOD and SDH. The study found that PG caused dose-dependent histopathological changes in the liver and kidney of the rats. While low doses caused minimal alterations, higher doses resulted in significant tissue damage. This suggests that, despite its therapeutic potential, careful consideration is needed regarding dosage to ensure safety. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the LD50 value exceeded 3 g/kg body weight. These results indicate that the methanolic extract of PG contains active compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, detoxification support, liver regeneration, cholesterol regulation, prevention of liver fibrosis and hepatoprotective effects against high doses of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity [Fig. 1].

Характеристика антиоксидантной активности СО2- экстрактов бурых водорослей и стабилизации липидов

Vegetable oils are susceptible to oxidation during storage, which is a serious problem for shelf-life and food safety. The article describes the antioxidant properties of supercritical extracts from brown algae (Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata), Russian Far East. It also explains their prospects as stabilizers that preserve the quality and safety of vegetable oils by affecting the kinetics of oxidation and hydrolysis. The study featured supercritical extracts of marine brown algae Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata from Russian Far East. The methods involved spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Supercritical extracts of marine brown algae proved to be reliable sources of bioactive substances, e.g., phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and mannitol. They also possessed antioxidant properties in terms of antiradical activity, hydroxyl ion binding, superoxide radical absorption, and Fe+2 chelating. The experiments revealed nine phenolic compounds responsible for antioxidant properties. The supercritical extract of Costaria costata demonstrated a greater antioxidant effect on lipid oxidation in vegetable oils than Undaria pinnatifida. Both algae proved effective in stabilizing hydrolysis and were able to increase the shelf-life of soy and sunflower oils by three months. Supercritical extracts of Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata served as antioxidants to stabilize lipid oxidation in refined and unrefined soy and sunflower oils. The research revealed high approximation coefficients for regression equations describing the patterns of changes in the peroxide and acid numbers of vegetable oils stabilized with supercritical extracts of these marine brown algae.

Biostimulant Effects of Algae Species, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, and Their Combinations on Yield and Quality of Yellow Tomato Landrace Under Different Crop Cycles

Recent agricultural research has prioritized the development of environmentally friendly management strategies to ensure food security, among which the application of biostimulants such as brown algae extracts, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and their combination are included. The experimental protocol was based on the factorial combination of two planting times (4 May and 1 June) and seven biostimulant treatments (three brown algae species, Cystoseria tamariscifolia—C.t.; Fucus vesiculosus—F.v.; Padina pavonica—P.p.; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi—AMF; C.t. + AMF; F.v. + AMF; P.p. + AMF) plus an untreated control. The earlier transplant resulted in a higher yield, due to the higher number of fruits per plant, and a higher plant fresh and dry biomass. The treatments with P.p. and F.v. extracts and the combination P.p. + AMF led to the highest yields (56.7 t ha−1), mainly due to the highest fruit number per plant. The earlier planting time led to higher values of dry residue, soluble solids, firmness, and colour component ‘a’. The highest values of fruit dry residue were recorded under the F.v. and P.p. extracts, and the combinations F.v. + AMF and P.p. + AMF, the highest soluble solid content with P.p. treatment, and firmness under P.p. + AMF. The highest levels of ‘L’ and ‘a’ fruit colour components were obtained under the P.p. extract treatment, of ‘b’ upon the application of P.p. and F.v. extract, and AMF + P.p. and AMF + F.v. The later planting time led to significantly higher values of the antioxidant parameters, as did the application of the P.p. extract and P.p. + AMF. CAT activity was more intense corresponding to the later tomato crop cycle, P.p. extract, and AMF + P.p. Overall, our study highlights the potential of biostimulants, particularly brown algae extracts and their combination with AMF, to improve tomato yield, antioxidant properties, and biochemical activities.

The Effect of Hydroxyapatite Filling from Chicken Eggshells in the Formulation of Brown Algae (Sargassum sp.) Extract on Setting Time

The Effect of Hydroxyapatite Filling from Chicken Eggshells in the Formulation of Brown Algae (Sargassum sp.) Extract on Setting Time

How the application of supporting substances affects the formation of fertile embryos of crossbred cherries and its germination

The seeds of early ripening cherry cultivars are generally of poor quality, thereby adversely affect the success of the entire breeding process. The current study aimed to examine the application of supporting substances, such as brown algae extract (ALGA), humic and fulvic acids + IAA (LEXIN), and gibberellic acid (GA3), in the blooming and ripening of fruits. Successively, the same substances were applied to seeds within laboratory conditions, to enhance the quality of cherry embryos and promote their germination. For comparison, two cultivars, an early one ‘Burlat’ and late ‘HL 13577’ were used in a multi-year trial. The application of GA3 at the time of blooming in the ‘Burlat’ cultivar had a positive effect on increasing the share of harvested fruits (31.6%), reduction of the share of bad seeds (17.7%) and improving seed germination (21.9%), compared to the untreated control. Cultivar ‘HL 13577’ had 16.6% of developed fruits, 15.0% share of bad seeds and seed germination 9.8%. No remarkable increase in germination was observed in any tested variants after the secondary application of preparations in the laboratory. The impact of the year was most explicit in the proportionality of developed fruits, while its effect on seed germination post-treatment remained uncertain. On the contrary, the treatment exhibited a greater effect on germination testing. Based on these findings, we conclude that direct application of GA3 to the trees (from blooming to fruit harvesting) in the orchard was beneficial. However, the other substances tested did not produce positive effects on the parameters.

The effect of alcoholic extract of brown algae on obesity complications in rats: neurological and histological studies

The effect of alcoholic extract of brown algae on obesity complications in rats: neurological and histological studies

EFFECT OF BROWN ALGAE (Sargassum Sp) GEL ON ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE LEVELS IN PERIODONTITIS RATS INDUCED BY SILK LIGATION MODEL

Introduction: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by colonies of dysbiotic bacteria that form biofilms and cause destruction of the periodontal tissues. This damage can be induced by silk ligation on Sprague Dawley teeth and results in an increase in Alkaline Phosphate levels in the gingival sulcus. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of brown algae extract gel (Sargassum sp) on reducing alkaline phosphatase levels in gingival sulcus fluid in Sprague Dawley periodontitis induced by silk ligation Material and Methods: This research is True Experimental with the Pre test - Post test Control Group Design. The research sample consisted of 36 male Wistar rats which were ligated with silk to periodontitis. Rats were divided into two groups (n=18), the control group was treated with Tie-es metronidazole gel plus and brown algae extract (Sargassum sp) gel treatment with a concentration of 75%. Sampling of gingival sulcus fluid (CSG) on days 0 and 5, ALP levels were measured using a UV/V is spectrophotometer with an absorbance of 450 nm. Results and Discussions: This study showed a decrease in ALP levels after being treated with metronidazole and 75% brown algae extract gel, the normal amount of ALP levels in the reference was 53-57 U/L and increased when inflammation occurred to 8283 U / L then a significant difference was obtained. The average reduction in ALP levels from pre test to post test for each group was 39-41 /L, and there was a significant relationship between giving brown algae extract and a decrease in ALP levels (p <0.05). Conclusion: Brown algae gel extract (Sargassum sp) concentration of 75% has a lowering effect on alkaline phosphatase levels of gingival sulcus fluid in periodontitis induced by silk ligation

Green Synthesis of Copper and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles From Brown Algae Turbinaria Species' Aqueous Extract and Its Antibacterial Properties.

Background Copper and copper oxide nanoparticlessynthesized by green methods have attracted considerable attention due to their environmentally friendly properties and potential applications. Green synthesis involves non-hazardous and sustainable techniques used in the production of a wide range of substances, including nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. These methods often use different organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants, each offering different advantages in terms of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. The environmentally friendly nature of these green synthesis methods responds to the growing need for sustainable nanotechnologies. Brown algae have gained popularity due to their distinct morphological characteristics and diverse biochemical composition. This research focuses on the process of synthesizing copper and copper oxide nanoparticlesfrom the brown algae Turbinaria. It emphasizes the natural ability of the bioactive compounds contained in the algae extract to reduce and stabilize the nanoparticles. The green synthesis of copper and copper oxide nanoparticlesfrom brown algae has demonstrated a wide range of applications, including antibacterial activity. Materials and methods Fresh Turbinaria algae were collected from marine environments to ensure that they were free of contaminants. The algae underwent a purification process to remove impurities and were dried. An aqueous extract was prepared by pulverizing the dried algae and mixing them with distilled water. A copper salt solution utilizing copper nitrate was prepared. The algae extract was mixed with the copper salt solution. There are bioactive compounds in the algae extract that help reduce copper ions, which makes copper and copper oxide nanoparticles come together. The reaction mixture was incubated in a controlled environment to facilitate the growth and enhance the stability of the nanoparticles. To separate the nanoparticles from the reaction mixture, centrifugation was employed, or filtration was done with Whatman filter paper (Merck, Burlington, MA). The nanoparticles were dried to yield a stable powder. Results Copper and copper oxide nanoparticles derived from brown algae extract showed antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans,Klebsiella sp.,andStaphylococcus mutans. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis verified the irregular shape and elemental content of the synthesized copper and copper oxide nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a crystallinity nature and were composed of a mixture of copper and copper oxide species, namely face-centered cubic and monoclinic structures. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed copper and copper oxide nanoparticles that were evenly distributed and had a rectangular shape. They exhibited substantial antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions This study enhances the field of green synthesis techniques by showcasing the adaptability of Turbinaria brown algae to synthesize copper and copper oxide nanoparticles. It underscores the potential advantages of these nanoparticles in terms of their antibacterial properties.

A review on Persian Gulf brown algae as potential source for anticancer drugs

Cancer remains one of the most formidable challenges in modern medicine, and its global impact on human health underscores the urgency for advancing treatment methods. Despite the significant progress in understanding the complex biology of cancer and the development of different therapeutic approaches, the search for new anticancer agents for cancer treatment is very important. Marine organisms are a valuable source for the development of new agents for clinical application. Brown algae, a group of marine macroalgae abundant in the Persian Gulf, have emerged as a promising source of bioactive compounds with potent anticancer properties. This comprehensive review provides an overview of the current advances regarding the anti-cancer activity of the Persian Gulf brown algae as a valuable reservoir of anticancer agents. Among marine organisms, algae are a large and diverse group of organisms from which a wide range of secondary metabolites have been isolated. This review shows the active components of the Persian Gulf brown algae along with their antitumor potential for cancer treatment according to their structure. It also describes and discusses various extraction techniques and compound modification methods. The species of Sargassum seaweed is the most researched for anticancer properties in the Persian Gulf. The results of various studies in this study show that Persian Gulf brown algae extracts and fractions have different cytotoxic effects on various types of cancer cell lines. These organisms have the ability to produce compounds with promising properties that can be used in the biomedicine field. These compounds have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, which can be useful for medicinal chemists in the development of effective anti-cancer drugs.

Immune-Enhancing Effects of Marine Algae Extracts: Modulation of Macrophage Activation by Sargassum horneri, Sargassum fusiforme, and Undaria pinnatifida

The immune system acts as a defense mechanism against foreign antigens. Impairment of the immune system leads to the development of chronic diseases such as respiratory infections, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. Macrophages, natural scavengers that are part of innate immunity, are known to directly participate in scavenging foreign antigens. The functional modulation of macrophages could be an effective treatment for pathogens. Seaweeds are marine macroalgae known to exhibit multiple bioactive properties. Thus, this study evaluated the immune-enhancing properties of marine brown algae extracts of Sargassum horneri (SH), Undaria pinnatifida (UP), and Sargassum fusiforme (SF) on murine macrophage cells. The results showed that all three algal extracts stimulated cell proliferation. SH and UP outshined SF in enhancing the expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 at almost all the concentrations tested as compared to SF which showed similar effects only at 200 or 400 μg/mL. A similar trend was seen in TNF-α, NO, and PGE2 production. Additionally, only SH and SF could enhance the mRNA expression levels of IL-12, and only SH upregulated the mRNA expression level of IL-10. The algal extracts also enhanced the phagocytosis activity of macrophages at 50–400 μg/mL for SH and 100–400 μg/mL for UP and SF. In conclusion, we found that these algal extracts could be considered immunomodulators that enhance the functional activity of macrophages.

UJI ORGANOLEPTIK dan DAYA HAMBAT EKSTRAK ALGA COKLAT (Sargassum Polycystum) TERHADAP JAMUR Candida albicans

Background: Candida albicans, a fungal normal flora that causes Denture stomatitis. Sargassum polycystum is a brown algae species (Phaeophyceae) which grows almost along the coasts of Indonesia islands, known to have antifungal and antibacterial activities. Purpose: To determine the inhibition of brown algae extract (Sargassum polycystum)’s on the growth of Candida albicans and determine whether Sargassum polycystum extract works as denture cleanser material through organoleptic test. Methods: The sample was Candida albicans equal to 0,5 McFarland (108 CFU/ml). The experiment groups comprises negative control group (K-) with 1% DMSO, positive control group (K+) with 0,2% chlorhexidine gluconate, and treatment groups 1-4 (P1;P2;P3;P4) consecutively with 2,5%; 5%; 10%; 20% Sargassum polycystum ethanol extract macerated for 15 minutes in 5 (Ø 6mm) paper discs. SDA medium was incubated for 24 hours and the visible transparent zone was calculated. Organoleptic test was conducted by asking 10 panelists about the observation on color, smell, and homogeneity level of brown algae extract (Sargassum polycystum) with the concentrations of 2,5%; 5%; 10%; and 20%. The experiment result was analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: Experiment material’s inhibitory effect was undetectable as Sargassum polycystum ethanol extract against 1% DMSO solvent’s solubility was not homogeneous. The organoleptic test result showed that color, smell, and homogeneity level of brown algae extract (Sargassum polycystum) was not compliant with antiseptic standards. Conclusion: No inhibitory effect in brown algae extract (Sargassum polycystum) as the organoleptic test proved the antiseptic standards were not fulfilled.

No colonization resistance to Campylobacter jejuni in broilers fed brown algal extract-supplemented diets.

Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis is the most commonly reported zoonosis within the EU, with poultry products regarded as the primary source of transmission to humans. Therefore, finding strategies to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers holds importance for public health. Recent studies suggest that supplementation of broiler feed with brown algal extracts, particularly laminarin, can provide beneficial effects on broiler gut health, growth performance, and gut microbiota. However, its effect on gut microbiota development and subsequent reduction of Campylobacter loads in broiler caeca during the later stages of the birds' lives remains unclear. Experimental colonization of Ross 308 broilers with two different strains of C. jejuni was conducted, with groups fed either a basal diet or the same basal diet supplemented with 725 ppm algal extract from Saccharina latissima to provide 290 ppm laminarin. Fecal samples were collected for bacterial enumeration, and caecal samples were obtained before and after the C. jejuni challenge for the determination of microbiota development. No significant differences in fecal C. jejuni concentrations between the groups fed different diets or exposed to different C. jejuni strains were observed. This suggests that both strains colonized the birds equally well and that the laminarin rich algal extract did not have any inhibitory effect on C. jejuni colonization. Notably, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed detailed data on the caecal microbiota development, likely influenced by both bird age and C. jejuni colonization, which can be valuable for further development of broiler feed formulations aimed at promoting gut health.

Evaluation of antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity of brown algae (nizamuddinia zanardinii) in uterine (hela) and pancreatic cancer cell lines (paca-2).

Pancreatic cancer and cervical cancer are among the most common cancers. Brown algae have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. This study investigated the antioxidant properties and the effect of brown algae extract on pancreatic and uterine cancer cells. In this study, Cervical (Hela) and pancreas (Paca-2) cancer cell lines were examined. The algae materials were extracted by sequential maceration method and amount of fucoxanthin content in the sample was determined by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system. The cytotoxic effect of different concentrations of brown algae was measured by the MTT assay. All statistical calculations for comparing IC50 were analyzed using Graph Pad Prism software. the algal sample contained an average of 102.52 ± 0.12μg of fucoxanthin per 100g. IC50 for 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging activity for methanolic extract was 2.02 and 11.98 ± 0.13 respectively. Brown algae in all fractions inhibited cell growth and survival. In Hela cell lines, the methanolic extract was the most effective inhibitor, while in Paca cell lines, hexane and methanolic extracts were particularly potent. The methanolic extract was more toxic than other fractions on Hela and Paca cell lines. This study highlights brown algae extracts strong anticancer effects on uterine and pancreatic cancer cells, suggesting its potential as a natural anticancer drug. Different fractions of the extract showed superior apoptotic and cytotoxic effects, with higher concentrations leading to increased apoptotic effects and reduced survival rates of cancer cells.

Standard and experimental drilling fluids’ effect on the response of the larvae of bivalve Hiatella sp.

Behavior of the larvae of common genus of marine bivalve mollusk Hiatella sp. was tested at the presence of the standard drilling fluid and the water-based drilling fluid containing brown alga Saccharina latissima as biodegradable component. Standard drilling fluid (based on polyanionic cellulose and xanthan gum) is currently used at Prirazlomnaya offshore ice-resistant oil platform. A series of experiments have been performed with live larvae (young and elder stages, ~250 µm and ~350 µm, respectively) at 6.7 and 20 mL/L concentrations of the drilling fluids and in control. Larvae tended to spend more time with closed valves when exposed to standard drilling fluid. Larvae exposed to drilling fluid with Saccharina latissima extract were characterized by significantly higher activity comparing both to control group and to standard drilling fluid solution. Elder larvae were more sensitive to standard drilling fluid, being under stress from the very beginning of the experiment (3 hours of exposure) to the end (48 hours of exposure + 24 hours in native sea water). Young larvae tend to be more resistant both to standard drilling fluid and drilling fluid with Saccharina latissima extract; this may promote their better survival. Possible biological consequences of using natural and environmentally friendly extract of brown algae on pelagic larvae of benthic species is discussed.

Antioxidant Gel from Brown Algae (Ascophyllum nodosum) and Binahong Leaves for Diabetic Wound Healing

Background: Diabetic wounds are difficult to treat, causing persistent infections and often leading to limb amputation. One convenient way to manage diabetic wounds is by applying wound dressings. This study aimed to develop a wound dressing in form of a gel containing brown algae and binahong leaf extract for diabetic wound dressings.Methods: This study was an experimental study conducted in the Organic Chemistry Laboratory of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia from June to September 2022. As many as 33 mice induced by alloxan were divided into 9 groups consisting of application of brown algae extract gel, binahong lead extract gel and a mixture of brown algae, and binahong leaf extract gel with the concentration of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% respectively. All treatments were given within 7 days. Laboratory data collected included phytochemical screening, total phenolic compound, antioxidant activity and organoleptic test.Results: Brown algae and binahong leaf extracts had a high total phenolic content of 331.25 mg GAE/g and 207.01 mg GAE/g, respectively with antioxidant activity of IC50 = 327.33 µg/mL and 209.30 µg/mL, respectively. It was found that brown algae and binahong leaf extracts could accelerate wound closure in a diabetic mouse model. Gel formulation with 10% w/w brown algae extracts presented 91.66% of wound closure, two times greater than treatment with commercial drugs.Conclusion: The developed gel containing brown algae and binahong leaf extracts can be a promising wound dressing for healing diabetic wounds.

Potential extract of brown algae Sargassum sp. and Padina sp. as antibacterial Vibrio harveyi

Vibrio sp. in shrimp farming ponds cause infection with Vibriosis which results in crop failure. Various efforts have been made, such as the administration of antibiotics derived from chemicals that can cause resistance to bacteria. One of the other efforts that can be done is to use marine organisms as natural antibacterial agents, such as brown algae of the genus Padina and Sargassum which have antibacterial activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the best concentration of Sargassum sp. and Padina sp. in inhibiting the growth of Vibrio harveyi bacteria and knowing which brown algae extract was more effective in inhibiting the growth of V. harveyi bacteria. The extraction process was carried out using the maseration method with methanol as a solvent. Testing of antibacterial activity using agar diffusion method. The results showed that the extract of brown algae that was more effective in inhibiting the growth of V. harveyi was Padina sp., because the six treatments and positive control at 3 times of observation showed a clear zone that was greater than that of Sargassum sp. The best concentration of Sargassum sp. and Padina sp. in inhibiting the growth of V. harveyi bacteria was at a concentration of 2000 ppm for Sargassum sp. with the resulting inhibition zone of 18.2 ± 1.15 and 2000 ppm and 3000 ppm for the extract of Padina sp. with the resulting inhibition zones of 19.2 ± 2.75 and 19.5 ± 2.35. The resulting inhibition zone falls into the category of strong inhibitory activity.

Antihyperglycemic and anti-type 2 diabetic activity of marine hydroquinone isolated from brown algae (Dictyopteris polypodioides).

Brown algae (Dictyopteris polypodioides) extract (DP) presented high inhibitory potential against α-amylase. The present study aims to isolate, purify and evaluate the antihyperglycemic and anti-type 2 diabetic activities of marine hydroquinone from DP. Marine hydroquinones were isolated using silica gel, HPLC, and NMR spectroscopy was used to identify compound 1 and compound 2 as zonarol and isozonarol, respectively. The anti-hyperglycemic and anti-type 2 diabetic activities of zonarol were investigated by invitro assay (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), Lineweaver-Burk plot and Type 2 diabetes mellitus model (T2DM) mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Zonarol had the highest content and the strongest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 value of 6.03mgL-1) and α-amylase (IC50 value of 19.29mgL-1) in a competitive inhibition and mix-type manner, respectively. The maltose and starch loading tests revealed that zonarol significantly reduced postprandial glycemia after 30min loading (9.12 and 8.12mg/dL, respectively), compared to normal (11.37 and 12.37mg/dL, respectively). Zonarol exhibited pancreatic islet cell rejuvenation, as evidenced by increased pancreatic islet mass, and hence helps in the restoration of insulin levels and therefore improves the glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Zonarol treatment in T2DM elevated abundant levels of main SCFAs (propionate, butyrate, and valeric acid), which are closely related to glucose metabolism homeostasis. Our finding indicates that zonarol could be used as a food supplement to treat hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using marine brown algae (Cystoseira) extract comprising sol–gel, and combustion techniques based on dye-sensitized solar cells application

The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using marine brown algae (Cystoseira) extract and calcination. For comparison, combustion, and sol–gel methods were employed to synthesize nanoparticles to use as material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) photoanode. The produced nanoparticles were characterized using structural and morphological studies by FTIR, SEM, and XRD experiments, respectively. The results revealed that the net hexagonal crystal structure was achieved with a crystal size of less than 100 nm, good purity, spherical shape, and a suitable dimension for fabricating DSSCs. They exhibit enhanced properties due to the variation in their characteristics such as average size, size distribution, and morphology. The ZnO nanoparticles were used to fabricate the DSSCs by the doctor blade method, and the efficacy of each cell was evaluated using voltage–current measurement. The results were in good agreement with the characteristic curve of the commercialized DSSC. The best performance for the fabricated DSSCs was achieved using green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, because of the influence of their morphology such as smaller crystal size, more grain boundaries, and bigger surface area. The cell’s solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency, short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor were measured as ∼1.13%, 3.8[Formula: see text]mA/cm2, 620[Formula: see text]mV, and 54.3%, respectively. The enhanced photovoltaic properties were ascribed to the flower-like morphological structures of the ZnO nanoparticles prepared using the green synthesis method.

Photoprotective and Anti-Aging Properties of the Apical Frond Extracts from the Mediterranean Seaweed Ericaria amentacea.

There is a growing interest in using brown algal extracts thanks to the bioactive substances they produce for adaptation to the marine benthic environment. We evaluated the anti-aging and photoprotective properties of two types of extracts (50%-ethanol and DMSO) obtained from different portions, i.e., apices and thalli, of the brown seaweed, Ericaria amentacea. The apices of this alga, which grow and develop reproductive structures during summer when solar radiation is at its peak, were postulated to be rich in antioxidant compounds. We determined the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of their extracts and compared them to the thallus-derived extracts. All the extracts contained polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidants and showed significant biological activities. The hydroalcoholic apices extracts demonstrated the highest pharmacological potential, likely due to the higher content of meroditerpene molecular species. They blocked toxicity in UV-exposed HaCaT keratinocytes and L929 fibroblasts and abated the oxidative stress and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, typically released after sunburns. Furthermore, the extracts showed anti-tyrosinase and anti-hydrolytic skin enzyme activity, counteracting the collagenase and hyaluronidase degrading activities and possibly slowing down the formation of uneven pigmentation and wrinkles in aging skin. In conclusion, the E. amentacea apices derivatives constitute ideal components for counteracting sunburn symptoms and for cosmetic anti-aging lotions.

Leukocyte Differentiation Mice (Mus Musculus) Infected with Plasmodium Berghei after Therapy With Sargassum Duplicatum Extract

Leukocytes are white blood cells produced by hematopoietic tissue that serves to help the body fight various infectious diseases as part of the immune system. Sargassum duplicatum contains steroid, alkaloid, phenol, flavonoid, saponin, and tannin compounds that can be immunomodulatory. The purpose of this research is to know the effect of methane extract of brown algae Sargassum duplicatum on the differentiation of leukocyte mice (Mus musculus) infected with Plasmodium berghei. Mice weighing 20-30 grams in Plasmodium berghei infection as much as 0.1 ml per head and left to the percentage of parasitemia reaches 1-5%. Then the mice (Mus musculus) were given brown algae methanol extract (Sargassum duplicatum) at doses 10, 100, and 200 mg / g BW for 4 consecutive days. From day 0 to 6 also made a blood smear to calculate the number of leukocytes. Data analysis will be done using ANOVA. The results showed that the administration of brown algae extracts of Sargassum duplicatum influenced in increasing the number of neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils and decreased the number of eosinophils and lymphocytes of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei to near normal range. Dose 200 mg/kg BB methanol extract of brown alga Sargassum duplicatum is a dose that can affect the number of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei most closely to normal range.