In Vitro Studies Reveal Antiurolithic Effect of Antioxidant Sulfated Polysaccharides from the Green Seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides var flabellata

Abstract

Urolithiasis affects approximately 10% of the world population and is strongly associated with calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. Currently, there is no efficient compound that can be used to prevent this disease. However, seaweeds’ sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) can change the CaOx crystals surface’s charge and thus modify the crystallization dynamics, due to the interaction of the negative charges of these polymers with the crystal surface during their synthesis. We observed that the SPs of Caulerpa cupressoides modified the morphology, size and surface charge of CaOx crystals. Thus, these crystals became similar to those found in healthy persons. In the presence of SPs, dihydrate CaOx crystals showed rounded or dumbbell morphology. Infrared analysis, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry (FITC-conjugated SPs) and atomic composition analysis (EDS) allowed us to propose the mode of action between the Caulerpa’s SPs and the CaOx crystals. This study is the first step in understanding the interactions between SPs, which are promising molecules for the treatment of urolithiasis, and CaOx crystals, which are the main cause of kidney stones.

Modulation of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Growth and Protection from Oxidatively Damaged Renal Epithelial Cells of Corn Silk Polysaccharides with Different Molecular Weights

“…Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ( Figure 6). High absolute value of zeta potential can increase the repulsive force between crystal and cell and reduce the adhesion between them [8,61]. The protection ability of each CSPi is consistent with its antioxidant ability, that is, CSP3 had the greatest cell protective ability.…”

“…Plant polysaccharides can also regulate the growth of CaOx crystals and inhibit the adhesion of crystals onto renal epithelial cells [6]. Gomes et al [8] investigated the antiurolithic ability of sulfated seaweed polysaccharide (SP) and found that SP can change the surface charge of crystal, induce the morphology of CaOx crystal to become round and blunt, and reduce the crystal size. Huang et al [9] explored the effects of five kinds of plant polysaccharides with different carboxyl contents on the growth of CaOx crystals.…”

Antioxidant Sulfated Polysaccharide from Edible Red Seaweed Gracilaria birdiae is an Inhibitor of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation

“…Furthermore, researchers are also searching for antioxidant compounds that can combat the oxidative stress that occurs during the formation of renal calculi [16]. It has been confirmed that sulfated polysaccharides from brown seaweed inhibit the formation of oxalate crystals, and therefore protect the renal tissue from the oxalate-related damage [17,18]. However, to our knowledge, no data has been published yet about sulfated galactans from red seaweeds.…”

Seaweeds: An Extensive Review of Medicinal Values

“…Urolithiasis affects approximately 10% of the world population and is strongly associated with calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. Gomes, et al [426] reported anti-urolithic effect of green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides [426]. Grateloupia elliptica has the potential to treat alopecia via inhibitory activity against Pityrosporum ovale [427].…”