In Vivo Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity and Protective Action of the Seaweed Gracilaria birdiae

The red seaweed Gracilaria birdiae (GB) is farmed and used as food in northeast Brazil. However, the economic potential of this seaweed has been explored little. To enable direct consumption and/or product diversification from GB, it is necessary to evaluate its effect in vivo. In this study, the food of mice was improved with the addition of GB. After 21 days, the consumption of seaweed reduced the weight gain and blood glucose levels in mice. In addition, it increased the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and glutathione reductase and catalase levels compared to those of the control group. In addition, some mice also received carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). In this case, histological, enzymatic, and antioxidant tests showed that the seaweed could protect animals from damage caused by this toxic agent. In addition, GB aqueous extract (AE) inhibited 50% of 3T3-L1 cell differentiation into adipocytes, whereas GB ethanolic extract was not effective. AE is composed mainly of sulfated polysaccharides. The results of the present study indicate that the alga GB protected the mice from CCl(4)-induced damage, indicating that the seaweed exhibits protective action in vivo. In addition, GB decreased the animal weight gain, which was mainly due to the action of the sulfated polysaccharides synthesized by this seaweed.