Neurological Activities of Seaweeds and their Extracts

Seaweeds are part of the cultural heritage of Asian countries, much more so than in western countries. Nutrients needed for this transition from a primitive ancestor to modern Homo sapiens were available in seaweeds. Iodine is found abundantly in seaweeds, especially in brown seaweeds. The regular use of seaweeds as a diet relieves the symptoms of anxiety, because the known anxiolytics also manifest their effect by decreasing the concentration of serotonin. In the brain, strict regulation of PLA₂ activity is of crucial importance, as PLA₂ regulation accounts for a balance between arachidonic acid’s conversion into proinflammatory mediators and their reincorporation into the membrane. A disruption of this well-balanced system results in induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which may cause several neurological diseases. Aqueous extracts of Bryothamnion triquetrum have been demonstrated to protect GT1-7 cell deaths produced by severe chemical hypoxia/aglycemia insult, which further reduced the cytotoxicity and early production of free radicals.