There is epidemiological evidence that dietary intake of seaweeds is associated with a lower prevalence of chronic diseases. While seaweeds are of high nutritious value, due to their high content of fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals, they also contain an abundance of bioactive compounds. There is a growing body of scientific data that these bioactive moieties exert effects that could correct the metabolic dysregulation that is present in obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this review we describe how the molecular mechanisms, specific to different tissues, that underly obesity and T2D are influenced by both seaweed extracts and seaweed-derived bioactive molecules. In obesity, modulation of antioxidant capacity and reduction of intracellular ROS levels within tissues, and regulation of signaling pathways involved in enhancing browning of white adipose tissue, have been highlighted as key mechanism and identified as a potential target for optimal energy metabolism. In T2D, management of post-prandial blood glucose by modulating α-glucosidase or α-amylase activities, modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway, and similarly to obesity, reduction of ROS and NO production with subsequent increased expression of antioxidant enzymes have been shown to play a key role in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling. Future studies aimed at discovering new therapeutic drugs from marine natural products should, therefore, focus on bioactive compounds from seaweed that exert antioxidant activity and regulate the expression of key signaling pathways involved in glucose homeostasis, mechanisms that are common to both obesity and T2D management. In addition, more data is required to provide evidence of clinical benefit.
Keywords: Energy regulation; Marine algae; Metabolism; Obesity; Seaweed; Type 2 diabetes.
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