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Review
. 2023 Jun 28;24(13):10779.
doi: 10.3390/ijms241310779.

Durvillaea antarctica: A Seaweed for Enhancing Immune and Cardiometabolic Health and Gut Microbiota Composition Modulation

Marion Guerrero-Wyss  1 , Caroline Yans  2 , Arturo Boscán-González  3 , Pablo Duran  4 , Solange Parra-Soto  5 , Lissé Angarita  6
Affiliations
Review

Durvillaea antarctica: A Seaweed for Enhancing Immune and Cardiometabolic Health and Gut Microbiota Composition Modulation

Marion Guerrero-Wyss et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Durvillaea antarctica is the seaweed that is the most consumed by the Chilean population. It is recognized worldwide for its high nutritional value in protein, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. This is a narrative review in which an extensive search of the literature was performed to establish the immunomodulator, cardiometabolic, and gut microbiota composition modulation effect of Durvillaea antarctica. Several studies have shown the potential of Durvillaea antarctica to function as prebiotics and to positively modulate the gut microbiota, which is related to anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and hypoglycemic effects. The quantity of Bacteroides was negatively correlated with that of inflammatory monocytes and positively correlated with the levels of several gut metabolites. Seaweed-derived polysaccharides modulate the quantity and diversity of beneficial intestinal microbiota, decreasing phenol and p-cresol, which are related to intestinal diseases and the loss of intestinal function. Additionally, a beneficial metabolic effect related to this seaweed was observed, mainly promoting the decrease in the glycemic levels, lower cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Consuming Durvillaea antarctica has a positive impact on the immune system, and its bioactive compounds provide beneficial effects on glycemic control and other metabolic parameters.

Keywords: Durvillaea antarctica; cardiovascular risk; metabolic syndrome; microbiota; seaweed.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Immunomodulatory effect of Durvillaea antarctica. The components of Durvillaea antarctica exhibit the following immunomodulatory mechanisms: (a) they can act as anti-inflammatory as they modulate immune cells to decrease the synthesis and release of proinflammatory cytokines; (b) they inhibit the production of free radicals, and thus, decrease oxidative stress on cells; and (c) they possess antitumor activity and can contribute to the activation of natural killer cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages under situations that merit immune reactivity. IL: interleukin; COX: cyclooxygenase; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor alfa; PGE: prostaglandins.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prebiotic effect of Durvillaea antarctica.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cardiometabolic effect of Durvillaea antarctica.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Control of metabolic syndrome of Durvillaea antarctica.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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