An Overview of New Insights into the Benefits of the Seagrass Posidonia oceanica for Human Health |
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| Authors: | Marzia Vasarri,Anna Maria De Biasi,Emanuela Barletta,Carlo Pretti,Donatella Degl’ Innocenti |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.V.); (E.B.);2.Interuniversity Center of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology “G. Bacci” (CIBM), Viale N. Sauro 4, 57128 Livorno, Italy; (A.M.D.B.); (C.P.);3.Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile is a Mediterranean-endemic angiosperm often described for its great ecological importance. Despite evidence of a millennia-old relationship between P. oceanica and humans, as well as traditional medicine applications, the potential benefits of P. oceanica for human health have been documented only recently. This review aims to compile newly acquired knowledge on P. oceanica bioactive properties that allow the scientific community to look at this plant as a promising source of natural therapeutical products for human health. Experimental investigations conducted in both in vitro cellular-based and in vivo animal models pave the way for new research projects aiming at the development of alternative and complementary therapeutic strategies based on P. oceanica against a wide range of pathological conditions. |
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| Keywords: | P. oceanica angiosperm marine natural products seagrass secondary metabolites phytochemicals |
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