A Group of IPB Students Implemented Research Program on the Utilization of Brown Algae for Anti-obesity Drugs
Five students of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University (FPIK-IPB), consist of Muhammad Amiluddien Hanif, Rio Eka Putra, Maulidiah Dwi Kurniawan, Aribah Nauf Taqqiyah and Muhammad Aridha Firdaus tried to make innovation by utilizing brown algae (Sargassum duplicatum) as anti-obesity medication or weight loss drugs are pharmacological agents that reduce or control weight. Their research program had been funded by Program Kreativitas Mahasiswa bidang Penelitian (PKM-P Research Program Creativity for Research) 2017. Sargassum is a genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalgae (seaweed) in the order Fucales. Numerous species are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world, including Indonesia, where they generally inhabit shallow water and coral reefs, and the genus is widely known for its planktonic (free-floating) species. Being overweight is one of the problems that many people have, especially for those living in big cities. Overweight and obesity may increase the risk of many health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. A number of factors can play a role in weight gain. These include diet, lack of exercise, factors in a person’s environment, and genetics. The increasing prevalence of obesity places a large burden on health care use and costs.
Brown algae contain several chemicals that work as antioxidants. These chemicals are thought to prevent damage to the body that can lead to cancer and other conditions. Chemicals contained in brown algae might also have effects on inflammation and the body's immune system. "It is the reason why we use brown algae, because eating a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as brown seaweed, can help you get the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. The fiber in brown seaweed can also promote digestive health while warding off constipation. Of course as it is natural products, therefore it is safer compared to the synthetic drugs available in the markets," said Muhammad Amiluddien Hanif, student of IPB who is from Pemalang. A number of synthetic drugs on the market, including Lipase inhibitors belong to a drug class that is used as an antiobesity agent. Their mode of action is to inhibit gastric and pancreatic lipases, enzymes that play an important role in the digestion of dietary fat. This synthetic drugs induced side effects, such as significant gastrointestinal side effects, including flatulence, diarrhea and anal leakage.
This research program was conducted at Teaching Laboratory of Technology of Aquatic Product, Biochemical Laboratory of Aquatic Product and Integrated Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science of IPB. Brown algae raw materials are obtained directly from Pramuka Island, Kepulauan Seribu. "We do an extraction process that uses water and ethanol. The aim of this work is to carry out a phytochemical screening of (compound test content) and in vitro testing of lipase enzymes, "continued Muhammad.
Muhammad and his friends expected that their study program on the utilization of natural compounds derived from these aquatic environment will be widely developed and any new anti-obesity drugs based on algal products can be developed. (Wied)
