Marine Brown Seaweed Research Articles

Doğal ürün fukoksantin trendleri

Fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment which occurs in marine brown seaweeds (macroalgae), diatoms and several microalgae species. It forms with chlorophyll a-c and several proteins, a major fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c complex, which transfers light energy to the photosynthesis center and plays a major role in light harvesting. Recent studies have reported that fucoxanthin has many physiological functions and biological effects, such as anti-obesity, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and cardiovascular system protection. Therefore, this pigment is highly preferred for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. In addition, potential applications of high value fucoxanthin can be found in cosmetic, food and feed industries. In this review paper, the historical development, characteristic properties and possible sources of fucoxanthin are extensively described. The potential biological activities of fucoxanthin are also discussed. Finally, brief overview of common applications and market analysis of commercial fucoxanthin are also reported.

Extract from the Marine Seaweed Padina pavonica Protects Mitochondrial Biomembranes from Damage by Amyloidogenic Peptides.

The identification of compounds which protect the double-membrane of mitochondrial organelles from disruption by toxic confomers of amyloid proteins may offer a therapeutic strategy to combat human neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we exploited an extract from the marine brown seaweed Padina pavonica (PPE) as a vital source of natural bioactive compounds to protect mitochondrial membranes against insult by oligomeric aggregates of the amyloidogenic proteins amyloid-β (Aβ), α-synuclein (α-syn) and tau, which are currently considered to be major targets for drug discovery in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). We show that PPE manifested a significant inhibitory effect against swelling of isolated mitochondria exposed to the amyloid oligomers, and attenuated the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. Using cardiolipin-enriched synthetic lipid membranes, we also show that dye leakage from fluorophore-loaded vesicles and formation of channel-like pores in planar bilayer membranes are largely prevented by incubating the oligomeric aggregates with PPE. Lastly, we demonstrate that PPE curtails the ability of Aβ42 and α-syn monomers to self-assemble into larger β-aggregate structures, as well as potently disrupts their respective amyloid fibrils. In conclusion, the mito-protective and anti-aggregator biological activities of Padina pavonica extract may be of therapeutic value in neurodegenerative proteinopathies, such as AD and PD.

UTILIZING NATURAL COLORANTS OF BROWN SEAWEEDS IN BIOACTIVE FABRIC DYEING

The current investigation was carried out to develop a sustainable dyeing method by utilization of marine brown seaweed as natural dye. Moreover, the dyeing process was optimized by varying fixing agent percentage and dyeing time. The influence of different variable on color uptake (K/S), fastness rating and color measurement were examined. The bioactive efficiency of seaweed extract and dyed fabric were also investigated against human pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and results were compared with commercial antibacterial and antifungal drugs. It was found that, the optimized dyeing condition has 1% formic acid as fixing agent with 120 min dyeing cycle. At this condition, the dye molecule shows higher exhaustion and fixation % along with acceptable fastness and antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the dyed fabric shows effective inhibition against all test organisms. Fabric samples showed greater antimicrobial efficiency for Candida albicans and least for Escherichia coli.

Integration of LC/MS-based molecular networking and classical phytochemical approach allows in-depth annotation of the metabolome of non-model organisms - The case study of the brown seaweed Taonia atomaria

Untargeted LC-MS based metabolomics is a useful approach in many research areas such as medicine, systems biology, environmental sciences or even ecology. In such an approach, annotation of metabolomes of non-model organisms remains a significant challenge. In this study, an analytical workflow combining a classical phytochemical approach, using the isolation and the full characterization of the chemical structure of natural products, together with the use of MS/MS-based molecular networking with various levels of restrictiveness was developed. This protocol was applied to the marine brown seaweed Taonia atomaria, a cosmopolitan algal species, and allowed to annotate more than 200 metabolites. First, the algal organic crude extracts were fractionated by flash-chromatography and the chemical structure of eight of the main chemical constituents of this alga were fully characterized by means of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, HRMS). These compounds were further used as chemical standards. In a second step, the main fractions of the algal extracts were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS and the resulting data were uploaded to the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking platform (GNPS) to create several molecular networks (MNs). A first MN (MN-1) was built with restrictive parameters and allowed the creation of clusters composed by nodes with highly similar MS/MS spectra. Then, using database hits and chemical standards as “seed” nodes and/or similarity between MS/MS fragmentation pattern, the main clusters were easily annotated as common glycerolipids and phospholipids, much rare lipids -such as acylglycerylhydroxymethyl-N,N,N-trimethyl-ß-alanines or fulvellic acid derivatives- but also new glycerolipids bearing a terpene moiety. Lastly, the use of less and less constrained MNs allowed to further increase the number of annotated metabolites.

Cytotoxicity behaviour of response surface model optimized gold nanoparticles by utilizing fucoidan extracted from padina tetrastromatica

Biomedical applications of gold nanoparticles are very interesting and highly incredible in the current scenario. In this work, environmental benign sulphated polysaccharide isolated from marine brown seaweed Padina tetrastromatica was used to synthesize the god nanoparticles (AuNPs). UV–vis spectrophotometer was used to synthesize the gold nanoparticles which were confirmed by the peak at 540 nm. To determine the crystalline structure of the gold nanoparticles XRD technique was utilized. SEM was used to analyse the size and shape of the synthesized nanoparticle and the spherical structure is verified by TEM. Presence of gold elements in the prepared nanoparticles was detected by elemental analysis. Finally, the experimental results of the gold nanoparticle's anti-cancer activity against liver and lung cancer cells indicate strong biomedical property.

In vitro Studies on The Inhibition of Replication of Zika and Chikungunya Viruses by Dolastane Isolated from Seaweed Canistrocarpus cervicornis

The lack of vaccines and antiviral treatment, along with the increasing number of cases of Zika virus (ZIKV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections, emphasize the need for searching for new therapeutic strategies. In this context, the marine brown seaweed Canistrocarpus cervicornis has been proved to hold great antiviral potential. Hence, the aim of this work was to evaluate the anti-ZIKV and anti-CHIKV activity of a marine dolastane isolated from brown seaweed C. cervicornis and its crude extract. Vero cells were used in antiviral assays, submitted to ZIKV and CHIKV, and treated with different concentrations of C. cervicornis extract or dolastane. The crude extract of C. cervicornis showed inhibitory activities for both ZIKV and CHIKV, with EC50 values of 3.3 μg/mL and 3.1 μg/mL, respectively. However, the isolated dolastane showed a more significant and promising inhibitory effect (EC50 = 0.95 µM for ZIKV and 1.3 µM for CHIKV) when compared to both the crude extract and ribavirin, which was used as control. Also, the dolastane showed a very potent virucidal activity against CHIKV and was able to inhibit around 90% of the virus infectivity at 10 μM. For the ZIKV, the effects were somewhat lower, although interesting, at approximately 64% in this same concentration. Further, we observed that both the extract and the dolastane were able to inhibit the replication of ZIKV and CHIKV at different times of addition post-infection, remaining efficient even if added after 8 hours post-infection, but declining soon after. A synergistic effect using sub-doses of the extract and isolates was associated with ribavirin, inhibiting above 80% replication even at the lowest concentrations. Therefore, this work has unveiled the anti-ZIKV and CHIKV potential of C. cervicornis crude extract and an isolated dolastane, which, in turn, can be used as a preventive or therapeutic strategy in the future.

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Marine Macroscopic Brown Seaweed Colpomenia sinuosa (Mertens ex Roth) Derbes and Solier

In the present study energy efficient, economically scalable colloidal silver (Ag) nanoparticles were biosynthesized from marine brown seaweed Colpomenia sinuosa by green synthesis method. The marine macroscopic brown seaweed Colpomenia sinuosa was used in the experimental study for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle since they are rich in phytochemicals, bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites which has reducing agents that may be environmentally acceptable and eco-friendly. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from marine macroscopic brown seaweed were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy which confirmed the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to identify the presence of various functional groups in biomolecules responsible for the bio reduction of Ag+ and capping/stabilization of silver nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) to observe face center cubic (fcc) and crystalline nature of silver nanoparticles, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) which revealed the thermal stability and purity of the silver nanoparticles. Particle size distribution and morphology were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) which showed silver nanoparticles in the size range of 54-85 nm. The particle distribution under different nanometers was analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Advances in Research on the Bioactivity of Alginate Oligosaccharides.

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide present in various marine brown seaweeds. Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) is a degradation product of alginate, which has received increasing attention due to its low molecular weight and promising biological activity. The wide-ranging biological activity of AOS is closely related to the diversity of their structures. AOS with a specific structure and distinct applications can be obtained by different methods of alginate degradation. This review focuses on recent advances in the biological activity of alginate and its derivatives, including their anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antibacterial, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, and hypoglycemic properties, as well as the ability to suppress obesity and promote cell proliferation and regulate plant growth. We hope that this review will provide theoretical basis and inspiration for the high-value research developments and utilization of AOS-related products.

The effects of mining tailings in the physiology of benthic algae: Understanding the relation between mud’s inductive acidification and the heavy metal’s toxicity

The direct and indirect effects of mining tailing on macroalgae were evaluated in vitro to determine the relationship between heavy metals toxicity and pH alterations caused by the presence of pollutants. The marine brown seaweed Sargassum cymosum (C. Hagard 1820) and its main epiphytic alga, the red seaweed Hypnea pseudomusciformis (Nauer, Cassano, Oliveira, 2015), were exposed to Mariana’s mud in cross treatments, including presence or absence of mud, and normal (˜8.0) or acidic (˜7.0) pH conditions. The effects of different biological conditions were also evaluated in two treatments, with seaweed in isolated or associative conditions, for a seven-day period. The measured variables were growth rates and metabolic descriptors, such as chlorophyll a, phenolic compounds, total proteins, and the analysis of enzymatic activity, e.g. catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Kruskal-Wallis and post-hoc Dunn’s test were performed to evaluate the significant differences among treatments and biological conditions. Decreased growth rates in treatments with presence of mud or in acidic conditions were detected and probably related to deviations of metabolic energy towards the synthesis of defensive metabolites. Especially in the acidified culture medium, both algae species presented significant declines in pigments concentration, antioxidant compounds and an accentuated inhibition of enzymatic activity. The algal association was not beneficial for either species and H. pseudomusciformis was responsible for reducing the defensive ability of Sargassum against stressors. Considering the results, we infer that the physiological ability of both algae to resist metals and/or acidified conditions was affected not only by their mutual interference in each other, but also by the interaction between the abiotic parameters evaluated in this study.

Advances in the biorefinery of Sargassum muticum: Valorisation of the alginate fractions

Sargassum muticum is an invasive brown seaweed that causes a negative impact on ecology, fishing and recreational activities, and was also associated with changes in biodiversity by competing for light, space and nutrients with autochthonous algae. Marine brown seaweeds contain different valuable components, such as alginate, fucose rich sulfated polysaccharides (known as fucoidans) and phlorotannins. In order to extract these compounds, subcritical water extraction or autohydrolysis processing was proposed using only water as solvent and operating at high temperature and pressure. Under non isothermal conditions previously optimized for the extraction of fucoidans and phlorotanins (150 and 170 °C), the biopolymeric and biologically interesting compounds were extracted and characterized, with particular emphasis on the alginate fraction. Rheological results of tested alginates indicated certain depolymerisation degree. Autohydrolysis temperature notably modified the viscoelastic features of precipitated alginates, exhibiting those treated at 150 °C stronger viscoelastic properties. All tested systems showed the viscoelastic behaviour characteristic of polymer solutions in the semi-dilute regime that present entanglements. Experimental rheological data sets for precipitated alginates were adequately modelled using Cross-Williamson and Maxwell models. Cox-Merz rule was evaluated for tested alginates. The valorisation of the alginate fraction defines a more efficient approach to the biorefinery concept applied to brown seaweeds for the production of components with interesting biological properties.

Cytotoxic activity of the seaweed compound fucosterol, alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil, in colon cells using 2D and 3D culturing

ABSTRACTColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring carcinomas which require effective therapies. Fucosterol is a sterol present in marine brown seaweeds with several biological activities. However, the influence of fucosterol in CRC remains to be determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the anticancer activity of fucosterol alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) on two human CRC cell lines (HCT116 and HT29) and compared with cytotoxicity in one normal colon fibroblast cell line (CCD-18co) in monolayer (2D). The effect of fucosterol alone or in combination with 5-Fu was further assessed using HT29 multicellular spheroids (3D). Data demonstrated that fucosterol alone or combined with 5-Fu decreased cell viability in HT29 cells in 2D cultures without inducing cytotoxic in normal colon cells. The combination, fucosterol, and 5-Fu, also inhibited cell proliferation, clonogenic potential and cell migration without producing cell death in 2D. In multicellular spheroids, the combination fucosterol plus 5-Fu at the same concentrations used in 2D was not effective demonstrating that under the tested conditions the 3D model was more resistant than the 2D model. Taken together, these findings suggest that fucosterol might be a promising alternative to enhance the cytotoxic and anti-invasive actions of 5-Fu in colon cancer cells without consequent major adverse effects in normal cells. Our results also reinforce the need to include more complex 3D culture models in the initial stages of drug screening.

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Potential of the Brown Seaweed Bifurcaria bifurcata in an in vitro Parkinson's Disease Model.

Bifurcaria bifurcata is a marine brown seaweed mainly found on the Atlantic coast. Herein, we report the antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of seven fractions (F1–F7) obtained by normal phase chromatography from the B. bifurcata dichloromethane extract, as well as of its two major isolated diterpenes. Total phenolic content of fractions was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH, ORAC, and FRAP assays. Neuroprotective effects were evaluated in a neurotoxic model induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in a human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y), while the mechanisms associated to neuroprotection were investigated by the determination of mitochondrial membrane potential, H2O2 production, Caspase-3 activity, and by observation of DNA fragmentation. Fractions F4 and F5 exhibited the best neuroprotective and antioxidant activities, respectively. F4 fraction prevented changes in mitochondrial potential, and induced a reduction of H2O2 levels production and an increase in cell viability, suggesting that it may contain multi-target compounds acting on different pathways. Hence, this fraction was subjected to purification steps, affording the known diterpenes eleganolone and eleganonal. Both compounds exhibited antioxidant potential, being interesting candidates for further neuroprotective studies.

Ultrasound‐assisted extraction of sulfated polysaccharide from Nizamuddinia zanardinii: Process optimization, structural characterization, and biological properties

AbstractSingle‐factor experiment and Box‐Behnken design were used to evaluate and optimize the effect of extraction time (40, 50, and 60 min), ultrasonic power (100, 150, and 200 W), water‐solid ratio (60, 70, and 80 mL/g), and extraction temperature (70, 80, and 90 °C) on the recovery of fucoidan from Nizamuddinia zanardinii by ultrasound‐assisted extraction method (UAE). The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction time of 58 min, ultrasonic power of 196 W, water‐to‐raw‐material ratio of 80 mL/g, and extraction temperature of 70 °C. Under these conditions, the polysaccharide yield was 3.51%. Extracted fucoidan was composed of fucose (32.33%), galactose (29.95%), mannose (27.97%), xylose (6.56%), and glucose (3.19%). The UAE‐extracted fucoidan had appreciable DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power. The fucoidan exhibited notable cell growth inhibition against HeLa (62.36%) and HepG2 (56.83%) cancer cell lines, and induced RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells to release considerable amount of nitric oxide (41 μmol).Practical applicationsSeaweeds are rich sources of diverse bioactive compounds with valuable nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical potentials. Nizamuddinia zanardinii is a marine brown seaweed and belong to Sargassaceae family. Iranian South Coasts have abundant supply of N. zanardinii which has a great potential for mariculture and can be utilized as a source of natural compounds. Fucoidan, which is a sulfated polysaccharide found in brown seaweeds, have shown promising health benefits for humans. In this study, the effects of extraction time, ultrasonic power, water–solid ratio, and extraction temperature were investigated on yield, structural, molecular, and biological properties of ultrasound extracted fucoidan. This study provides a practical and effective instruction into the application of ultrasound in the extraction of fucoidan. Additionally, the ultrasound extracted fucoidan exhibited appreciable antioxidant, anticancer, and macrophage‐stimulating capacity indicating its potential value for health and food industry.

In vitro investigating of anticancer activity of focuxanthin from marine brown seaweed species

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type among women all over the world. Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer medicines for treating cancer but it has many side effects and cells may become resistant to these chemical medicines. Therefore, finding new compounds of natural origin could be a promising solution to this problem. The aim of the current study was to evaluate anticancer activity of fucoxanthin which is the most important carotenoid found in the marine brown seaweeds and diatoms. fucoxanthin has many properties (antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antiobesity, anti-inflammatory and etc.) due to its unique structure. Samples with different concentrations (10, 25 and 50 µg/ml) and at various incubation times were collected (6, 24 and 48 hours) from four different species (Padina tenuis, Colpomenia sinuosa, Iyengaria stellate and Dictyota indica) of brown seaweeds from Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf. Moreover, the anticancer activity of fucoxanthin-containing extracts on breast cancer cells line and normal human skin fibroblast cells line was assessed by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] assay to specify the cytotoxic effects. The results showed that fucoxanthin extract from Dictyota. indica at 24-hour treatment and 50 µg/ml concentration has the most effective anticancer activity on the breast cancer cells line, without toxic effects to the normal cells. According to the obtained results, it seems that Dictyota. Indica is a good candidate for further analysis and can be introduced to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis of the Crude extract of Marine Red and Brown Seaweeds

The seaweed is a large and diverse group of marine macro algae that can be found in intertidal and sub tidal coastal regions around the world. Seaweed are simpler in their structural composition because they take up the nutrients into their blades or fronds directly from the seawater, unlike more complex land plants which take up the nutrients through their roots. There are three different types of marine macro algae-red algae (Rhodophyta), brown algae (phaeophyta), green algae (chlorophyta). They are grouped according to their unique photosynthetic pigments, which give them their characteristics color and unique properties. Secondary metabolites from natural resources are a potential source that leads and drugs can exploited to combat antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms. The present study investigated to explore the preliminary phytochemical constituents of marine red and brown seaweed such as Gracilaria corticata, Gracilaria edulis, Saragussum wightii wherelse Methanol, Acetone and Aqueous were used as a solvent system for the preparation of the extract.

수용액상에서 갈조류에 의한 Cr6+과 As3+ 흡착특성

수용액상에서 갈조류에 의한 Cr6+과 As3+ 흡착특성

Anticancer effects of seaweed compounds fucoxanthin and phloroglucinol, alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil in colon cells

ABSTRACTColorectal cancer therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) frequently become ineffective due to resistance to this drug; and thus other effective compounds are essential for therapy. It is well-known marine brown seaweeds contain antioxidant compounds the carotenoid fucoxanthin (Fx) and polyphenolic compound phloroglucinol (Ph) which exerted diverse biological activities including antioxidant and anticancer. The aim of this study was to determine the anticancer activities of Fx or Ph alone as well as combination of each chemical with 5-Fu on two human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116 and HT29), with comparison to responses in a normal colon cell line (CCD-18Co). Effects of these compounds on cell viability, induction of DNA damage, and cell death were evaluated using MTT assay, comet assay, nuclear condensation assay, and Western blot. 5-Fu decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner in HCT116 and HT29 cells but was not cytotoxic in CCD-18Co cells. 5-Fu induced DNA damage in HCT116 cells with induction of cell death, while no marked effects on DNA damage and cell death were observed in HT29 cells. Fx or Ph alone also reduced cell viability in both cancer cell lines but no apparent cytotoxic effect in CCD-18Co cells, except for Fx at 50 and 100 µM. Diminished cell viability was accompanied by induction of DNA damage (by Fx) and induction of cell death (by Ph). In combination with 5-Fu, Fx at 10 µM (in HCT116 and HT29 cells), and Ph at 300 µM (in HT29 cells) enhanced the cytotoxic effect of 5-Fu; however, no marked cytotoxicity was noted in CCD-18Co cells. Since Fx and Ph alone reduced cancer cell line viability without an effect on normal cells and when in combination enhanced the cytotoxic effect of 5-Fu only in colon cancer cells, these compounds seem promising as anticancer agents.

Identification and activation of TLR4-mediated signalling pathways by alginate-derived guluronate oligosaccharide in RAW264.7 macrophages

Alginate, a natural acidic polysaccharide extracted from marine brown seaweeds, is composed of different blocks of β-(1, 4)-D-mannuronate (M) and its C-5 epimer α-(1, 4)-L-guluronate (G). Alginate-derived guluronate oligosaccharide (GOS) readily activates macrophages. However, to understand its role in immune responses, further studies are needed to characterize GOS transport and signalling. Our results show that GOS is recognized by and upregulates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on RAW264.7 macrophages, followed by its endocytosis via TLR4. Increased expression of TLR4 and myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) results in Akt phosphorylation and subsequent activation of both nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Moreover, GOS stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); notably, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation depends on TLR4 initiation. All these events contribute to the production of inflammatory mediators, either together or separately. Our findings also reveal that GOS induces cytoskeleton remodelling in RAW264.7 cells and promotes macrophage proliferation in mice ascites, both of which improve innate immunity. Conclusively, our investigation demonstrates that GOS, which is dependent on TLR4, is taken up by macrophages and stimulates TLR4/Akt/NF-κB, TLR4/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signalling pathways and exerts impressive immuno-stimulatory activity.

Differences in cell death and cell cycle following fucoidan treatment in high-density HT-29 colon cancer cells.

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide present in marine brown seaweed, has been demonstrated to inhibit in vivo and in vitro growth of cells. The present study was conducted in HT-29 human colon cancer cells cultured at a high density, and examined the potential underlying mechanisms by which fucoidan exerts its anti-proliferative effects, which remain poorly understood. Fucoidan treatment of high-density HT-29 cells resulted in the inhibition of cell growth and increased apoptotic cell death. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that fucoidan treatment led to sub-G1 phase cell cycle arrest. This was associated with decreased protein expression levels of Retinoblastoma protein and E2 factor protein. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that fucoidan possesses anticancer activity against high density HT-29 cells by inhibiting cell growth and cell cycle progression.

Modulatory efficacy of dieckol on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and angiogenesis during NDEA-induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis

Dieckol (DEK) is a major polyphenol of marine brown seaweed Ecklonia cava which is a potential candidate for cancer therapy. However, the underlying mechanism of DEK as an anticancer drug remains to be elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms involved in the chemopreventive efficacy of DEK in N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis rats by analyzing markers of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs), apoptosis, invasion, and angiogenesis. Rats administered NDEA developed hepatocarcinogenesis that displayed apoptosis avoidance coupled to upregulation of pro-inflammatory, invasion, and angiogenesis markers. Treatment of DEK effectively suppressed the NDEA-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis by modulation of XMEs, inducing of apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway as revealed by modulating the Bcl-2 family proteins, cytochrome C, caspases, and inhibiting invasion, and angiogenesis as evidenced by changes in the activities of MMPs (MMP2/9) and the expression of VEGF. In addition, DEK exerts its anticancer effects via inhibition of pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) and COX2 in NDEA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Taken together, this study demonstrates that DEK modulates the expression of key molecules that regulate apoptosis, inflammation, invasion, and angiogenesis. These results strongly indicate that DEK from E. cava is an attractive candidate for chemoprevention.