Effects of Marine Algae, Caulerpa lentillifera, on Lowering Lipid Accumulation and Oxidative Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans Model

Abstract

Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat and its prevalence continues to increase worldwide with projections of further growth in the future. Prevention and management strategies for obesity include lifestyle modification, physical activity, pharmacological treatment, and bariatric surgery; however, some approaches may have adverse effects. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet plays an important role in controlling obesity and reducing the risk of related diseases. Sea grape, Caulerpa lentillifera, is a marine alga with potential benefits in preventing and improving metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the effects of C. lentillifera on lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and lifespan by using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. C. elegans were induced to become obese worms by exposure to 50 mM glucose, followed by treatment with C. lentillifera extract to evaluate its effects compared with a control group. The results showed that C. lentillifera extract at concentrations of 10 and 50 µg/mL decreased lipid accumulation, lipid droplets sizes and ROS levels compared to the glucose-induced control group, but it did not effect on lifespan. These results suggested that C. lentillifera extract has strong potential to reduce fat accumulation and oxidative stress, leading to the potential application to further develop to combat obesity in the future.