Invasive algae called Sargassum horneri covers a “gim,” or seaweed laver, farm in waters off the town of Sinan, South Jeolla Province, southwestern South Korea, on Jan. 21, 2021, ahead of the seaweed harvest. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 2 (Korea Bizwire) — A South Korean research team has found that the extract of invasive algae called Sargassum horneri, believed to have come from China’s east coast, has the effect of preventing and curing psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition.
Sargassum horneri’s several branches stem from its small sitting cushion-shaped root.
The branches typically grow from three to five meters long. However, in water with a depth of 40-60 meters, the length of the branches can reach more than 10 meters.
A joint research team from the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea and the Inje University College of Medicine injected imiquimod, an immune response enhancer that induces psoriasis by stimulating the immune system, into a lab rat.
Thereafter, the research team additionally injected the extract of Sargassum horneri and found that the number of psoriasis-inducing agents greatly decreased, leading to the alleviation of psoriasis symptoms.
According to the research team, the existing psoriasis medicine using steroid creams can bring about various side effects, including the expansion of capillaries and the contraction of skin if being used for an extended period of time.
In contrast, the extract of Sargassum horneri is a natural substance without side effects.
Taking this into consideration, chances are high that it will be developed into a new medication for the treatment of psoriasis.
The patent application concerning the results of the research has been completed.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
