Green Seaweed Extract Calms Lung Inflammation in Study

The vibrant green seaweed, Ulva lactuca, often seen along coastlines, is proving to be more than just marine foliage. A recent study has uncovered its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities, pointing towards its potential as a natural medicinal resource.

Researchers created an aqueous extract and analysed its chemical makeup, discovering a rich cocktail of beneficial compounds. These included various phenolic compounds, flavonoids, essential oils, and fatty acids known for their health-promoting characteristics. In laboratory tests, the extract demonstrated impressive antioxidant behaviour, neutralising over 75% of harmful free radicals in two separate assays.

The most compelling results came from an in vivo study on acute lung injury. When administered, the seaweed extract promoted a dose-dependent recovery in damaged lung tissue. At the highest dose, it not only reduced inflammation and fibrosis—a type of tissue scarring—but also restored the lung's structure to an almost normal state. The extract achieved this by effectively lowering the levels of key molecules that drive the inflammatory response, such as COX-2 and TNF-α.