, a Promising Seagrass of Nutraceutical Interest: Overview of Phytochemical Constituents and Potential Therapeutic Uses.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Seagrasses are marine angiosperms capable of completing their life cycle in water; they have been used as food source and biomass for producing fertilizer, but their potential nutritional and health-promoting properties have been largely overlooked. (Ucria) Ascherson (family Cymodoceaceae) is emerging as one of the most interesting seagrass species due to its content in health promoting substances.

METHODS

In this review article, a revision of the literature on phytochemical constituents and the main potential therapeutic uses of was carried out.

RESULTS

Despite the growing interest in for its key ecological role and for being a potential source of bioactive compounds, comprehensive chemical studies about its composition are still limited. Compounds reported as constituents include fatty acids, phytosterols, polysaccharides, phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoid glycosides, terpenoids, and diarylheptanoids. As concerns potential therapeutic uses, extract, both polyphenolic and polysaccharidic, might be useful for the management of metabolic disorders, which is currently the most documented in addition to the antioxidant action.

CONCLUSIONS

emerges as one of the most promising seagrass species as a source of bioactive compounds and for its potential in maintaining health status.