Study on Antihypertensive and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Marine Algae

Abstract

A total of 26 species of seaweeds (1 green, 21 brown, and 4 red algae) and 6 polysaccharides were screened for their antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic activities using rats in order to evaluate their potential application for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Although diets containing some pulverized seaweeds moderately elevated total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC), and low density lipoprotein (LDL), marked antihypertensive and antihypercholesterolemic activities were found in almost all seaweeds, some of which are commonly used as food. In addition, serum levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) were enhanced 46.0% by seaweed powder diets. Six polysaccharides derived from active 'seaweed species were investigated, and appreciable suppression of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was observed for all samples. They also markedly enhanced the serum level of HDL. © 1994, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.