Magwaza SN, Islam MS. Mechanisms behind the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of seaweeds or macroalgae and their bioactive compounds. World J Diabetes 2025; 16(11): 112847 [DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v16.i11.112847]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Md Shahidul Islam, PhD, Full Professor, Head, Senior Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University Road, Chiltern Hills, Durban 4000, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. islamd@ukzn.ac.za
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Endocrinology & Metabolism
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Review
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Nov 15, 2025 (publication date) through Nov 14, 2025
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World Journal of Diabetes
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1948-9358
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Magwaza SN, Islam MS. Mechanisms behind the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of seaweeds or macroalgae and their bioactive compounds. World J Diabetes 2025; 16(11): 112847 [DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v16.i11.112847]
World J Diabetes. Nov 15, 2025; 16(11): 112847 Published online Nov 15, 2025. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v16.i11.112847
Mechanisms behind the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of seaweeds or macroalgae and their bioactive compounds
S'thandiwe Nozibusiso Magwaza, Md Shahidul Islam
S'thandiwe Nozibusiso Magwaza, Department of Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Md Shahidul Islam, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Author contributions: Magwaza SN and Islam MS contributed equally to this work; Magwaza SN conducted the literature review, did analysis, created illustrations, drafted the original manuscript, and Islam MS designed the study, supervised, made critical revisions; all authors prepared the draft and approved the submitted version.
Supported by India-South Africa Bilateral Research Grant from the National Research Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa, No. 133137.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Md Shahidul Islam, PhD, Full Professor, Head, Senior Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University Road, Chiltern Hills, Durban 4000, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. islamd@ukzn.ac.za
Received: August 7, 2025 Revised: August 31, 2025 Accepted: September 22, 2025 Published online: November 15, 2025 Processing time: 99 Days and 11.8 Hours
Abstract
Obesity and diabetes have become global health crises, with rising prevalence and a strong association with various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers. These conditions contribute to significant morbidity and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for effective therapeutic interventions. Marine products, including fish oils and marine plants, have been increasingly recognized for their potential in mitigating these diseases. Among these, seaweed stands out due to their diverse bioactive compounds and promising therapeutic effects. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms of action through which seaweeds, and their compounds exert anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects, including the regulation of adipogenesis, appetite control, modulation of gut microbiota, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, and reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and β-cell dysfunction. Despite the promising potential, challenges such as variability of bioactive compounds and low bioavailability remain there. Advances in bioactive delivery systems and along with large-scale clinical trials, are crucial for optimizing the therapeutic use of bioactive compounds from seaweeds. Future research should also explore synergistic strategies combining seaweed compounds with other bioactive substances. Overall, seaweed offers a promising foundation for developing functional foods and nutraceuticals aimed at promoting long-term metabolic health, providing an innovative approach to addressing obesity and diabetes.
Core Tip: Obesity and diabetes are global health challenges with increasing prevalence and strong associations with cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers. While pharmacological treatments exist, the demand for natural, bioactive-based interventions remains critical. Seaweeds have garnered significant attention due to their diverse bioactive compounds with demonstrated anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties. This review elucidates the mechanisms by which seaweed regulates metabolic disorders. Key actions include modulation of adipogenesis, appetite suppression, regulation of gut microbiota, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, and attenuation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Together, these mechanisms provide insights into how seaweed specifically targets obesity and diabetes.
