CHARACTERISTICS

Lithothamnion is particularly rich in calcium and magnesium. In addition to these two components, it is made up of more than 20 trace elements in varying amounts, including iron, manganese, boron, nickel, copper, zinc, molybdenum, selenium and strontium. Therefore, it acts as a global remineralizer (ALMEIDA & al., 2012).

In addition, its calcareous concretions contain vitamins, phytohormones and amino acids. It has an alkaline pH.

PROPERTIES

• Anti-inflammatory effects:

Lithothamnion exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-κB, which reduces the expression of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene in macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide (O’GORMAN & al., 2012b).

Sulfated polysaccharides isolated from Lithothamnion applied to the skin show anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro and in vivo models of skin inflammation in humans. Indeed, they inhibit skin erythema induced by irritants in vivo. In addition, they inhibit the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and partially block the adhesion of PMNs to endothelial cells in vitro. The anti-inflammatory effects of these polysaccharides therefore appear to be linked to the inhibition of the recruitment of circulating immune cells to inflammatory sites (MATSUI & al., 2003).

In addition, Lithothamnion reduces the in vitro lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1beta in primary cultures of rat cortex enriched with glial cells (RYAN & al., 2011).

Further, it relieves osteoarthritis symptoms. Indeed, a preliminary study carried out on 22 patients with osteoarthritis suggests that Lithothamnion increases range of motion and walking distances in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and allows a partial cessation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after 12 weeks of treatment (FRESTEDT & al., 2009).

• Antitumor effect:

Lithothamnion restricts the growth and induces the differentiation of human colon carcinoma cells in vitro. It reduces polyps, areas of hyperplasia in the colonic mucosa and inflammatory foci in the gastrointestinal tract observed on histological analysis (ASLAM & al., 2010).

• Protective effects on the stomach:

The components of lithothamnion neutralize gastric acidity and preserve the acid-base balance of the organism. Indeed, administered at a dose of 480 mg/kg, it has a protective effect on gastric lesions (type 1 lesion) and an increase in gastric pH (ALMEIDA & al., 2012).

• Beneficial effects on bone density:

Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Lithothamnion increases bone density (ASLAM & al., 2010 ; (O’GORMAN & al., 2012).

Lithothamnion supplementation increases the osteogenic response by increasing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and mineralization. The combination of Lithothamnion and vitamin D3 significantly increases ALP and mineralization compared to Lithothamnion alone (WIDAA & al., 2014).

In one study, the authors combined Lithothamnion with a collagen matrix exhibiting an architecture and composition optimized for bone repair with the aim of making a natural bone-stimulating bone graft substitute. The addition of Lithothamnion to the collagen biomaterial considerably improved the mineralization by the osteoblasts cultivated on this support: it increases the expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin (BRENNAN & al., 2015).

Lithothamnion preserves bone structure and function in mice consuming a high fat diet that reduces bone mineralization and strength (ASLAM & al., 2010).