Synergistic therapeutic potential of Artemisia Annua dried leaf powder and low-molecular-weight fucoidane extracted from Laminaria japonica

Introduction
Traditional medicinal plants and seaweed provide a wealth of bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. Two of these natural products, Artemisia Annua dried leaf powder and low-molecular-weight fucoidane extracted from the brown alga Laminaria japonica, have biological effects that can be synergistic when used in combination. This review analyzes the latest research on their mechanisms and synergistic interactions for modulating the human microbiome, metabolic disorders and cancer.

Artemisia Annua dried leaf powder
The medicinal plant Artemisia Annua contains a variety of bioactive components including flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins and the famous antimalarial compound artemisinin (1). However, studies indicate that bioactivity is enhanced using dried whole leaf powder of Artemisia Annua compared with isolated artemisinin. The additive and synergistic effects of all the leaf’s phytochemicals enhance therapeutic benefits and reduce toxicity (2). Although artemisinin is a key active constituent, other plant compounds play significant roles. Beyond its antimalarial actions, research shows that Artemisia leaf powder has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulating and anticancer properties (3).

Low molecular weight fucoidane extracted from Laminaria japonica
Fucoidane refers to sulfated polysaccharides derived from the cell walls of brown algae and seaweed. Studies show that low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) fractions below 10 kDa have significantly improved bioavailability and bioactivity compared with higher molecular weight fucoidans (4). Laminaria japonica LMWF contains bioactive sulfated polysaccharides that provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, neuroprotective and anticancer effects (5).

Synergistic modulation of the intestinal microbiome
Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome contributes to many diseases (6). Artemisia and LMWF can synergistically restore microbiome balance through several mechanisms:

  • Prebiotic effects – LMWF stimulates the growth of commensal bacteria such as Bifidobacteria (7). Artemisia also promotes beneficial microbes such as Akkermansia muciniphila (8). Their combination can provide superior prebiotic activity.
  • Anti-inflammatory effects – Artemisia (9) and LMWF (10) both reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, helping to rebalance the microbiome. Their combined anti-inflammatory actions amplify these benefits.
  • Improved barrier function – LMWF improves the integrity of intestinal tight junctions (11). Artemisia compounds also protect against disruption of the intestinal barrier (12). Together, they can prevent microbial translocation.
  • Antimicrobial actions – Artemisia has selective antimicrobial effects against pathogens, as does LMWF (13, 14). Their complementary antimicrobial properties prevent dysbiosis.

Synergistic benefits for metabolic disorders
Metabolic dysfunction is linked to intestinal dysbiosis and inflammation (15). Artemisia and LMWF offer several synergistic mechanisms for improving metabolic health:

  • Hypoglycemic effects – Artemisinin stimulates insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells (16). LMWF improves glucose metabolism through actions on metabolic enzymes (17). Their combination can provide better glycemic control.
  • Anti-obesity effects – Artemisia restricted adipocyte proliferation and differentiation in cell models (18). LMWF reduced fat accumulation in obese animal models (19). Together, they can synergistically combat obesity.
  • Mitochondrial support – Artemisia (20) and LMWF (21) both activate mitochondrial biogenesis pathways. This can relieve insulin resistance and improve metabolism.

Potential anticancer synergies
Finally, Artemisia and LMWF have complementary anti-cancer properties with the potential for synergistic therapeutic benefits:

  • Immunomodulation – LMWF activates NK and dendritic cells (22), while Artemisia stimulates tumor toxicity in macrophages and lymphocytes (23). Combined, these effects enhance anti-cancer immunity.
  • Antiproliferative effects – Both compounds strongly suppress cancer cell viability and induce apoptosis via shared and complementary mechanisms (24, 25). Their combination reinforces these cytotoxic effects.
  • Antimetastatic effects – LMWF blocks metastatic progression by inhibiting angiogenesis, invasion and adhesion (26). Artemisinin derivatives show similar antimetastatic actions (27). Used together, they can synergistically prevent the spread of cancer.
  • Epigenetic modulation – Everyone can reverse epigenetic alterations associated with cancer, such as abnormal miRNA expression and DNA methylation (28, 29). Their combination synergistically targets the cancer epigenome.

Conclusion
The multifactorial biological activities of Artemisia annua dried leaf powder and Laminaria japonica low-molecular-weight fucoidane extract warrant further research, individually and in combination. Their mechanisms have significant synergistic potential for modulating the human microbiome, metabolism and anticancer immunity. Unlocking the synergistic power of these traditional natural medicines remains an exciting prospect.

This article presents and summarizes a large body of published research. The information presented is not intended to cure or treat any medical condition.

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