Study finds that fucoidan from brown seaweed may offer anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties

A new study published in Marine Drugs¹ showed that fucoidan derived from brown seaweed may help with supporting brain health and inflammation.

The study called, “Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan in vivo – A proteomic investigation,” explored plasma cytokine levels and how Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan supplementation may affect pro-inflammatory cytokines located in the small intestine, skeletal muscle, and hypothalamus in mice.^1,2 Additionally, proteomic characterization was investigated as well to witness fucoidan’s impact on neuronal protein expression.

The study took place over a 10-week period with four-week old mice being split into groups receiving either standard chow or high fat diet with or without high purity Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan produced by Marinova Pty Ltd.^1,2

Researchers observed that mice who received Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan in their diet had a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines and lower plasma cytokines when compared to the mice that received a high fat diet. A press release¹ published by Marinova stated that, “Proteomic analysis showed that fucoidan modulated proteins involved in oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter regulation and endoplasmic reticulum stress.” An intriguing finding from the study was that in mice provided a standard chow, the addition of fucoidan was found to raise the amount of proteins linked to immune response, as well as innate immunity without changing inflammatory markers.¹

Marinova’s Scientific Affairs Director and co-author of the paper, Dr. Corinna Dwan, said in the press release¹, “These findings suggest Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan can modulate stress-response pathways in a diet-dependent manner. They also highlight the neuroprotective potential of fucoidan in brain health, especially under diet-related stress.”

References

1. Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of fucoidan from Undaria Pinnatifida: Latest News https://marinova.com.au/news/neuroprotective-and-anti-inflammatory-activity-of-fucoidan-from-undaria-pinnatifida/ (accessed May 6, 2025).
2. Yang, C.; Dwan, C.; Wimmer, B.C.; Ronci, M.; Wilson, R.; Johnson, L.; Caruso, V. Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Undaria pinnatifida Fucoidan In Vivo—A Proteomic Investigation. Mar. Drugs 2025, 23, 189. https://doi.org/10.3390/md23050189