Inhibitory Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides from the Sea Cucumber Cucumaria Frondosa against Aβ40 Aggregation and Cytotoxicity

Abnormal aggregation and deposition of A beta is one of the causative agents for Alzheimer's disease. The development of inhibitors for A beta aggregation has been considered a possible method to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. Edible sea cucumbers contain many bioactive molecules, including saponins, phospholipids, peptides, and polysaccharides. Herein, we report that polysaccharides extracted from sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa could reduce the aggregation and cytotoxicity of A beta 40. By utilizing multiple biochemical and biophysical instruments, we found that the polysaccharides could inhibit the aggregation of A beta 40. A chemical kinetics analysis further suggested that the major inhibitory effects of the polysaccharides were achieved by disassembling mature fibrils, which in turn reduced the cytotoxicity of A beta. These results suggested that the polysaccharides extracted from sea cucumber could be used as an effective inhibitor for A beta.

Automated summary

Polysaccharides extracted from sea cucumber can effectively reduce the aggregation and cytotoxicity of Aβ40, achieving the reduction of Aβ cytotoxicity by disassembling mature fibrils.