Abstract
Published research on fucoidans increased three fold between 2000 and 2010. These algal derived marine carbohydrate polymers present numerous valuable bioactivities. This review discusses the role for fucoidan in the control of acute and chronic inflammation via selectin blockade, enzyme inhibition and inhibiting the complement cascade. The recent data on toxicology and uptake of fucoidan is detailed together with a discussion on the comparative activities of fractions of fucoidan from different sources. Recent in vivo, in vitro and clinical research related to diverse clinical needs is discussed. Targets include osteoarthritis, kidney and liver disease, neglected infectious diseases, hemopoietic stem cell modulation, protection from radiation damage and treatments for snake envenomation. In recent years, the production of well characterized reproducible fucoidan fractions on a commercial scale has become possible making therapies from fucoidan a realizable goal.
Highlights
Fucoidans are a class of sulfated, fucose-rich polymers found in brown macroalgae [1,2]
Other common fucoidans are sourced from edible species such as Cladosiphon okamuranus, Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida
This study clearly demonstrated an inhibitory effect of orally delivered higher molecular weight fucoidan on induced fibrosis of the liver which was associated with decreased tissue expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and stromal derived factor (SDF1 known as CXCL12), the receptor for CXCR4
Summary
Fucoidans are a class of sulfated, fucose-rich polymers found in brown macroalgae [1,2]. Fucoidans contain a high proportion of fucose in the sugar backbone of the polymer. They are sulfated, may be acetylated and may contain uronic acids. Other common fucoidans are sourced from edible species such as Cladosiphon okamuranus, Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida. These seaweeds are harvested in significant quantities across Asia and have an excellent toxicity profile. This review limits the scope of potential therapeutic use of fucoidan in inflammation related areas; injury, infection, chronic inflammation and fibrosis, and lastly, protection of neuronal function. Research into the cancer inhibitory effects of fucoidan fractions is reviewed elsewhere [2,9] and not within the scope of this review
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