Antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of Perna canaliculus oil extract in combination with low molecular weight fucoidan extracted from Undaria pinnatifida

The rising prevalence of chronic non-communicable illnesses is often linked to persistent low-grade systemic inflammation, with inflammation and oxidative stress playing significant roles in their development. This has increased interest in combining natural bioactive compounds with immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties to prevent and treat these conditions. Nutraceuticals and supplements from marine bioactive sources offer convenient options that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, lowering the risk of chronic diseases.Fucoidan from the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida and oil from Green Lipped mussels (GLM, Perna canaliculus) offer numerous health benefits, including antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory activities of GLM oil extracts obtained through two extraction methods—organic solvent and CO2 supercritical extraction—in combination with low molecular weight fucoidan (LMW) to explore potential synergistic or enhanced effects in immunomodulation. The immunomodulatory activities of the extracts were examined across various immune cell lines, including mouse RAW 264.7, human macrophage and monocyte lines (THP-1, U937), and Jurkat lymphocytes. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH method.The results indicate that the combination of GLM oil and LMW demonstrated synergistic antioxidant activity, with a 64.52 % reduction in DPPH at 1000 µg/ml for the SCC/LMW combination and 48.38 % and 77.15 % reductions at 1000 and 2000 µg/ml, respectively, for the SVF/LMW combination. Regarding immunomodulatory effects, combining LMW with CO₂-supercritical extracted GLM oil increased cytokine secretion (TNF-α, IL-2), suggesting an immunostimulatory response. In contrast, combining LMW with organic solvent-extracted GLM oil downregulated cytokine secretion (TNF-α, IL-2), indicating an anti-inflammatory effect. The findings suggest that while the combination exhibits synergistic antioxidant activity, its immunomodulatory effects are primarily enhanced rather than synergistic. This approach could maintain efficacy while reducing potential side effects, enabling effective therapeutic outcomes with lower doses of each compound, which may improve safety and tolerability. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying this combination's immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity.