Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activity of brominated diterpenes from red algae of the genus Laurencia and applications thereof

Background

Obesity is a major disease worldwide with a prevalence of 13% in the adult population (600 million people), while 39% of the population is overweight. Most of the obese individuals suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, accounting for 6.8% of the world’s population. In Europe, more than half the population is overweight and up to 30% is obese.

Technology Overview

The present invention discloses the anti-obesity properties of brominated diterpenes derived from red algae of the genus Laurencia and their mechanism of action. These diterpenes have a new function of reducing body weight and accumulation of lipids in the adipose tissue, thus protecting from the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Diterpenes derived from the red algae Laurencia suppress pre-adipocyte to adipocyte differentiation in the 3T3L1 model of adipocyte differentiation. C57Bl/6 mice treated with the diterpenes and fed with High Fat containing diet (60% of energy from fat) do not gain weight and do not develop Type 2 Diabetes. The abdominal fat depot and the size of adipocytes do not increase in treated mice.

Stage of Development

Today, the invention is in TRL* 4, with the next steps being:

Developing a protocol for the chemical synthesis of the active compounds or aquaculture of the red alga and further preclinical and clinical evaluation of activity within the next four year.

Benefits

• Diterpenes derived from the red algae Laurencia suppress pre-adipocyte to adipocyte differentiation in the 3T3L1 model of adipocyte differentiation. C57Bl/6 mice treated with the diterpenes and fed with High Fat containing diet (60% of energy from fat) do not gain weight and do not develop Type 2 Diabetes.
• The abdominal fat depot and the size of adipocytes do not increase in treated mice.

Applications

The reported compounds can be used as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic agents in:

• cosmetics
• nutraceuticals
• food supplements
• pharmaceuticals for humans

Opportunity

National & Kapodistrian University of Athens is seeking to collaborate and/or license the technology to a pharmaceutical company for scale-up development and commercialization.

Patents

• EP23386117.8