CMFRI develop nutraceutical from select seaweeds for immunity-boosting
Continuing its major research work on developing natural remedies from marine organisms against various lifestyle diseases, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) has come up with a food product from selected seaweeds to enhance innate immunity related to post-Covid complications.
The product called Cadalmin Immunalgin Extract (Cadalmin IMe) also has antiviral properties against the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“The product is a synergistic blend of seaweed-based food products, a 100% natural blend of high nutritional value bioactive ingredients extracted with an environmentally friendly ‘green’ technology,” says Kajal Chakraborty, Head of Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition, and Health at CMFRI who led the research to develop the product.
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This product represents the tenth in a series of marine-derived nutrients developed by CMFRI. In the past, the institute has successfully produced nutraceutical medicines that target a range of lifestyle diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, and fatty liver.
Chakraborty says bioactive pharmaceutical leads from seaweed have been used to develop the nutrition product. “A promising reduction in the rate of viral infection was observed by administration of Cadalmin IMe on cells induced by SARS CoV-2 (delta variant). Cadalmin IMe elevates innate immune responses by regulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,” he adds.
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Cadalmin IMe inhibits viral entry, triggers signaling pathways, and promotes inflammatory cytokine production. Hence, it would serve as a good alternative naturally derived source of health benefits against infections and autoimmune disorders, he adds.
Side effects
Extensive preclinical trials confirmed the absence of nutrient side effects and toxicity in clinical and behavioral aspects.
The active ingredients of the product will be housed in vegetarian capsules. Successful large-scale extraction of raw materials is optimized in the plant unit, confirming its commercial viability. Furthermore, Chakraborty mentions that the process of marketing the product is currently underway.