FucoVital® inhibits fatty acid accumulation in liver cells in vitro and reduces triglycerides levels in patients with NAFLD

Fucoxanthin (FX), a carotenoid primarily found in brown seaweed and diatoms, has shown potential in addressing obesity and risk factors of metabolic syndrome, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). FucoVital®, a microalgae-derived FX, offers a clean and high-quality alternative to seaweed-based sources. First, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FucoVital® compared to a commercial FX product and Silymarin, a potential hepato-protective agent, in an in vitro fatty liver model. Second, the study assessed the impact of FucoVital® consumption on biochemical markers in a prospective clinical trial of NAFLD patients. An in vitro fatty liver model was created using human hepatic HepG2 cells, which were treated with varying concentrations of FucoVital®, commercial FX, and Silymarin. In the clinical trial, 32 adults with NAFLD were randomized to receive either FucoVital® or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by an open-label phase with FucoVital®. The primary endpoint was changes in liver enzyme levels, while secondary endpoints included lipid profiles, glucose, and inflammatory markers. In vitro , FucoVital® significantly inhibited fatty acid accumulation, outperforming both commercial FX and Silymarin. In the clinical study, FucoVital® did not achieve the primary endpoint of reducing liver enzyme levels compared to placebo. However, it significantly reduced triglyceride levels (-16.33 mg/dl vs. +19.81 mg/dl; p = 0.031). Non-significant trends toward improved insulin and glucose levels were also observed. FucoVital® effectively inhibited fatty acid accumulation in vitro . While it did not improve liver enzymes in the clinical trial, it significantly reduced triglyceride levels and showed trends toward better glucose and insulin regulation. These findings suggest FucoVital® may benefit patients with metabolic syndrome. Further studies are needed in larger and more diverse populations to better understand its metabolic effects and mechanisms of action in human liver health.