Fucoidans Disrupt Adherence ofHelicobacter pylorito AGS CellsIn Vitro

Abstract

Fucoidans are complex sulphated polysaccharides derived from abundant and edible marine algae.Helicobacter pyloriis a stomach pathogen that persists in the hostile milieu of the human stomach unless treated with antibiotics. This study aims to provide preliminary data to determine,in vitro, if fucoidans can inhibit the growth ofH. pyloriand its ability to adhere to gastric epithelial cells (AGS). We analysed the activity of three different fucoidan preparations (FucusA,FucusB, andUndariaextracts). Bacterial growth was not arrested or inhibited by the fucoidan preparations supplemented into culture media. All fucoidans, when supplemented into tissue culture media at 1000 µg mL−1, were toxic to AGS cells and reduced the viable cell count significantly. Fucoidan preparations at 100µg mL−1were shown to significantly reduce the number of adherentH. pylori. Thesein vitrofindings provide the basis for further studies on the clinical use of sulphated polysaccharides as complementary therapeutic agents.