Investigation of effects of fucoidan polysaccharides extracted from twospecies of Padina on the wound-healing process in the rat

Abstract

Seaweeds contains different types of polysaccharides with high abilities. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of fucoidan polysaccharides for wound-healing properties. Fucoidans of two species of Padina ( P. tetrastromatica and P. boergesenii ), collected from the Persian Gulf northern coastal area, were extracted and analyzed using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. Purified fucoidans were used to prepare a 2% topical ointment. Under aseptic conditions, two identical paravertebral full-thickness skin wounds (either by burn or excision) were made in 40 anesthetized male rats allocated into 4 groups. Either fucoidan ointments or the vehicle (ointment base) were applied to rats' wounds twice daily for 14 days. In addition to the examination of wound area reduction (days 3, 7, 10, and 14) and histopathological assays (days 7 and 10), tissue specimens were taken to the laboratory. Fucoidans obtained from both seaweeds induced significant wound area reduction compared to the vehicle at some time points after treatment. Histopathological examinations showed improvement in some healing signs including angiogenesis, collagen fiber formation, and epidermis formation. In conclusion, both species of Padina have significant wound-healing effects and fucoidan polysaccharides are the active constituents for this healing property. However, fucoidan obtained from P. boergesenii showed superior effects in this regard.