Therapeutic Potential of Seaweed Polysaccharides for Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Seaweed has attracted a great deal of interest as excellent sources of nutrients. Seaweeds contain polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, lipids, peptides, minerals, and some vita- mins. Polyphenols of seaweed was used as cosmetics and pharmacological as antioxi- dants, protection from radiation, anti-inflammatory, hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and antidiabetic. Besides that seaweed also has a high content of antioxidant that can be used to ward off free radicals that increase due to the condition of hyperglycemia in a patient with diabetes mellitus. Hence, a great deal of attention has been directed at isolation and characterization of seaweed polysaccharides because of their numerous health benefits, especially for diabetes mellitus. This paper is expected to provide information on the effect of alginate from two seaweeds on blood glucose and lipid profiles of diabetic rats. Keywords: