Gelidiella Acerosa Extract is a natural compound obtained from the red alga Gelidiella acerosa, family Gelidiaceae.

The name describes the structure of the molecule

• "Gelidiella Acerosa" refers to a species of red algae found mainly in tropical and subtropical marine environments.
• "Extract" indicates that the product is a substance obtained by extracting desired components from the seaweed, usually through processes such as infusion, decoction, or percolation.

Description of raw materials used in production

• Gelidiella acerosa - The red algae from which the active ingredient is extracted.
• Solvents - Typically water or ethanol are used to extract the beneficial components from the algae.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process

• Harvesting - Gelidiella acerosa is harvested, preferably from sustainable sources.
• Cleaning and preparation - The algae is cleaned of impurities and prepared for extraction.
• Extraction - The algae is subjected to a solvent to extract the beneficial components.
• Filtration - The extracted solution is filtered to remove solid particles.
• Concentration - The filtrate is then concentrated, if needed, to achieve the desired extract.
• Drying - If necessary, the extract is dried to achieve a powder form.

It occurs as a reddish or white powder.

What it is for and where

Medical

Gelidiella acerosa has shown excellent neuroprotective potential against peptide-mediated toxicity (1), and its phytoconstituents can be considered natural inhibitors for the treatment of some cancers (2). Phytochemical analysis shows that Gelidiella acerosa extract is rich in cardiac glycosides and terpenoids with antioxidant properties (3).

Cosmetics

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.

CAS   223749-81-1

Commercial Applications

Agar Production. Used as a raw material in the production of agar, a thickening agent used across various industries.

Cosmetics. Extracts from Gelidiella acerosa might be included in skincare products for their moisturizing and nourishing properties.

Food Industry. Agar derived from Gelidiella acerosa can be used as a thickener or gelling agent in various food products.

Medical Applications

Research. Potential for studying bioactive compounds that might have therapeutic properties.

Supplementation. Extracts from Gelidiella acerosa could be explored as nutritional supplements owing to their mineral and vitamin content.

Dermocosmetic Therapy. Used in skin products to address conditions like dryness or irritation due to its moisturizing properties.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Nisha SA, Devi KP. Gelidiella acerosa protects against Aβ 25-35-induced toxicity and memory impairment in Swiss Albino mice: an in vivo report. Pharm Biol. 2017 Dec;55(1):1423-1435. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1302967. PMID: 28320234; PMCID: PMC6130556.

Abstract. Context: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is believed to develop due to deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide. Hence, efforts are being made to develop potent drug that target amyloid hypothesis...Objective: The present study explores the effect of the seaweed Gelidiella acerosa (Forsskål) Feldmann & Hamel (Gelidiellaceae) against Aβ 25-35 peptide in Swiss albino miceDiscussion and conclusion: The results suggest that G. acerosa possesses excellent neuroprotective potential against peptide mediated toxicity under in vivo conditions.

(2) S M FMB, Chitra K, Joseph B, Sundararajan R, S H. Gelidiella acerosa inhibits lung cancer proliferation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 Mar 20;18(1):104. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2165-1. 

Abstract. Background: Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of Non small cell lung cancer in which the PI3K/Akt cascade is frequently deregulated. The ubiquitous expression of the PI3K and the frequent inactivation of PTEN accounts for the prolonged survival, evasion of apoptosis and metastasis in cancer. This has led to the development of PI3K inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. Synthetic PI3K inhibitors undergoing clinical and preclinical studies are toxic in animals. Hence, there is a critical need to identify PI3K inhibitor(s) of natural origin. The current study aims to explore the efficacy of the red algae Gelidiella acerosaon inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and the expression of cell survival genes in lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549....Conclusion: The phytoconstituents of algal extract contributed to the anticancer properties as evidenced by in vitro and in vivo studies. These phytoconstituents can be considered as a natural source of PI3K/Akt inhibitor for treatment of cancers involving the PI3K cascade.

(3) Ilavarasi K, Chermakani P, Arif Nisha S, Sheeja Malar D, Pandima Devi K. Antioxidant compounds in the seaweed Gelidiella acerosa protects human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells against TCDD induced toxicity. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2015 Apr;38(2):133-44. doi: 10.3109/01480545.2014.919582. 

Abstract. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a persistent environmental toxin formed as an unintentional by-product of incomplete combustion. Several therapeutic approaches have evolved to combat its toxicity since it elicits immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity and lethality. Search for drugs from natural resources especially from seaweeds has become intense due to their enormous pharmacological potential. Hence, the present study aims at revealing the protective effect of methanolic extract of G. acerosa (MEGA) in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) against TCDD induced toxicity, by assessing the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective activities. The results of antioxidant assays suggests that MEGA reverted TCDD induced toxicity by causing an alteration in the levels of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase [CAT], Superoxide dismutase [SOD], Glutathione peroxidase [GPx], Glutathione-S-transferase [GST]) and Glutathione [GSH]. The results of lipid peroxidation assay and protein carbonyl content reveal that MEGA protects PBMC from TCDD induced macromolecular damage. MEGA was found to exhibit significant (p < 0.05) anti-apoptotic activity as verified by evaluation of mitochondrial membrane potential and AO-EtBr dual staining. In addition, PBMC co-treated with MEGA prevented TCDD induced oxidative DNA damage. Levels of phase-I detoxification enzymes determined by EROD assay and semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that TCDD up-regulates the expression of CYP1A1 and upon co-treatment with MEGA, the expression got slightly decreased suggesting its protective role. Preliminary phytochemical analysis demonstrates that the extract is rich in cardiac glycosides and terpenoids. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of antioxidants including caffeic acid, phytol and mannoheptulose in MEGA, which could be attributed for the observed protective effect against TCDD induced toxicity.