Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 12, 2026 1 hour, 58 minutes ago
Medical News: A Humble Seagrass with Surprising Medical Promise
A common underwater plant found across the Mediterranean Sea is now drawing serious scientific attention for its remarkable healing potential. Posidonia oceanica, often called Neptune grass, has long been valued for protecting coastlines and supporting marine life. Now, researchers say it may also protect human health.
Marine seagrass reveals surprising cancer fighting anti-inflammatory and metabolic health benefits
Scientists from the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences at the University of Florence, the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Pisa, and the Interuniversity Center of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology “G. Bacci” in Leghorn, Italy, have reviewed years of laboratory and animal research exploring its biomedical properties. Their findings covered in this
Medical News report reveal that this marine plant contains powerful natural compounds that may help fight cancer, reduce inflammation, protect the skin, regulate blood sugar, and even combat harmful bacteria.
Natural Compounds That Fight Cancer Cells
Studies show that extracts from the leaves and rhizomes of Posidonia oceanica are rich in polyphenols, peptides, and other bioactive molecules. In laboratory experiments, these compounds were able to slow the growth and movement of several cancer cell types, including liver, breast, fibrosarcoma, and neuroblastoma cells.
Researchers found that the plant extracts can block enzymes known as MMP-2 and MMP-9, which cancer cells use to spread throughout the body. Some extracts also triggered apoptosis, a natural process that causes damaged or dangerous cells to self-destruct. Others activated autophagy, a protective cellular clean-up system that may prevent early tumor development.
Importantly, certain peptide fractions extracted from the plant showed strong cancer-killing activity within 24 hours of exposure in laboratory settings. These findings suggest that Posidonia oceanica could one day serve as a source of supportive therapies alongside conventional cancer treatments.
Powerful Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
Chronic inflammation is linked to many serious diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, psoriasis, and neurodegenerative disorders. In both cell and animal studies, Posidonia oceanica extracts significantly reduced inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and nitric oxide.
In mouse models of inflammatory pain and psoriasis-like skin disease, oral administration of the extract reduced swelling, improved tissue health, and lowered inflammatory cytokine levels without signs of toxicity.
The plant also demonstrated strong antioxidant activity. Its polyphenols helped neutralize harmful free radicals, protected skin cells from UV damage, stimulated collagen production, and reduced excessive melanin formation. These findings point toward promising applications in skincare and anti-aging formulations.
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Support for Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health
Perhaps even more impressive are the plant’s metabolic benefits. In diabetic rat models, leaf extracts lowered blood glucose levels and improved antioxidant defenses in the liver. Laboratory studies showed that certain extracts enhanced glucose uptake by activating insulin-related signaling pathways and increasing GLUT-4 transporter activity, while reducing GLUT-2 levels.
The plant also reduced the formation of advanced glycation end products, harmful compounds linked to diabetic complications. In liver cells exposed to high glucose levels, extracts decreased fat accumulation and reduced inflammatory pathways tied to metabolic disease progression.
Advanced Delivery Systems Enhance Effectiveness
Scientists have even developed nanoparticle and micelle-based delivery systems to improve the stability and absorption of Posidonia oceanica extracts. These advanced formulations increased bioavailability and enhanced certain biological effects, including anti-cancer activity.
Conclusion
The growing body of in vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that Posidonia oceanica is far more than a simple marine plant. Its diverse bioactive compounds appear to work on multiple biological pathways at once, offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and metabolic regulatory effects. While human clinical trials are still needed, the consistency of laboratory and animal findings indicates strong therapeutic potential. Protecting this vital marine resource is therefore not only an environmental priority but may also hold the key to future natural medicines.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/4/1727
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