Abstract
With the advent of exploration in finding new sources for treating different diseases, one possible natural source is from marine algae. Having an array of potential benefits, researchers are interested in the components which comprise one of these activities. This can lead to the isolation of active compounds with biological activities, such as antioxidation of free radicals, anti-inflammation, antiproliferation of cancer cells, and anticoagulant to name a few. One of the compounds that are isolated from marine algae are sulfated polysaccharides (SPs). SPs are complex heterogenous natural polymers with an abundance found in different species of marine algae. Marine algae are known to be one of the most important sources of SPs, and depending on the species, its chemical structure varies. This variety has important physical and chemical components and functions which has gained the attention of researchers as this contributes to the many facets of its pharmacologic activity. In this review, recent pharmacologic application potentials and updates on the use of SPs from marine algae are discussed.
Highlights
IntroductionStudies about the promising pharmacologic potential and importance of marine algae or seaweeds are increasing
Over the past decade, studies about the promising pharmacologic potential and importance of marine algae or seaweeds are increasing
To further understand the possible mechanism of the action of fucoidan on its elicited inflammatory response, fucoidan from brown algae Saccharina latissimi and Fucus versiculosus [6] were tested on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and their ability to bind to the target proteins closely linked to the anti-inflammatory process
Summary
Studies about the promising pharmacologic potential and importance of marine algae or seaweeds are increasing. SPs are complex heterogenous natural polymers with an abundance found in different species of marine algae. Depending on whether it is isolated from green (Chlorophyta), brown (Phaeophyta) or red (Rhodophyta) algae, its chemical composition and structure varies [2]. These variabilities, including the presence and quantitative contents of carbohydrates, proteins, sulfate and its degree of sulfation, can yield different pharmacologic applications that have been tested in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo in animal models with promising results. This review discusses recent updates on SPs extracted and isolated from marine algae and its increasing potential as a pharmacological agent
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