Sulfated polysaccharides from green seaweed Caulerpa prolifera suppress fat accumulation

Obesity and its related disorders are a global problem and new approaches to prevention and treatment are needed. In this study we demonstrate that a sample containing sulfated polysaccharides (SP) from the green alga Caulerpa prolifera has an antiadipogenic effect on 3T3-L1 cells and inhibits fat accumulation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . Treatment with the SP-containing sample, in concentrations of 200 μg mL −1 , decreases lipid accumulation and inhibits the expression of key adipogenic and lipogenic transcription factors. In addition, in vivo studies in C. elegans confirm that SP-containing samples decrease fat accumulation in both low and high glucose diets. Taken together, our results demonstrate the value of seaweed products as a dietary component, with possible benefits in the management of body weight and obesity, and support the need for further study of the potential of these molecules in the formulation of nutraceuticals and new approaches to treatment. Graphical Abstract