Eckol is a

phlorotannin Phlorotannins are a type of tannins found in brown algae such as kelps and rockweeds or sargassacean species, and in a lower amount also in some red algae. Contrary to hydrolysable or condensed tannins, these compounds are oligomers of phlorogl ...

isolated from brown algae in the family

Lessoniaceae Lessoniaceae are a family of kelp. Species of this family have transition zone with intercalary meristem subdivided so that there are a number of secondary stipes in addition to the primary stipe. Genera and species *''Ecklonia'' **''Ecklonia a ...

such as species in the genus ''

Ecklonia ''Ecklonia'' is a genus of kelp (brown algae) belonging to the family Lessoniaceae. The genus name of ''Ecklonia'' is in honour of Christian Friedrich Ecklon (1795–1868), who was a Danish botanical collector and apothecary. The genus was circu ...

'' such as '' E. cava'' or '' E. kurome'' or in the genus '' Eisenia'' such as ''

Eisenia bicyclis , sea oak is a species of kelp, of the brown algae, best known for its use in Japanese cuisine. Description ''Eisenia bicyclis'' is indigenous to temperate Pacific Ocean waters centered near Japan, although it is deliberately cultured elsewhe ...

''. The molecule possesses a dibenzo-''p''-dioxin skeleton and a

phloroglucinol Phloroglucinol is an organic compound with the formula C6H3(OH)3. It is a colorless solid. It is used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and explosives. Phloroglucinol is one of three isomeric benzenetriols. The other two isomers are hydroxyqu ...

component. The molecule can also be viewed as a phloroglucinol trimer. It exhibits an

antiplasmin Alpha 2-antiplasmin (or α2-antiplasmin or plasmin inhibitor) is a serine protease inhibitor (serpin) responsible for inactivating plasmin. Plasmin is an important enzyme that participates in fibrinolysis and degradation of various other proteins. ...

inhibitory effect and a

radioprotective Nuclear safety is defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as "The achievement of proper operating conditions, prevention of accidents or mitigation of accident consequences, resulting in protection of workers, the public and the ...

effect in a

mouse model A model organism (often shortened to model) is a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the model organism will provide insight into the working ...

. It also exhibits an ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning in glass, or ''in the glass'') studies are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in biology an ...

'' cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts. It also shows

antithrombotic An antithrombotic agent is a drug that reduces the formation of blood clots (thrombi).http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?antithrombotic Antithrombotics can be used therapeutically for prevention (primary prevention, secondary prevention) or tr ...

and

profibrinolytic Fibrinolysis is a process that prevents blood clots from growing and becoming problematic. Primary fibrinolysis is a normal body process, while secondary fibrinolysis is the breakdown of clots due to a medicine, a medical disorder, or some other ...

activities.

References

{{phlorotannin Phlorotannins Dibenzodioxins