Sulfated-polysaccharides are complex macromolecular constituents of the extracellular matrix of marine algae that play an important role in mechanical, osmotic and ionic regulation.1) In Biomedicine the anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties have been most widely exploited and, at least for galactans, appear to be dependent on the sulfatation content and/or position of the sulfate groups.2) A natural sulfated polymer of L-fucose (fucoidan) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of leukocyte migration in the in vivo peritonitis model, 3) and sulfated fucans isolated from brown algae showed potent in vitro and in vivo inhibition of the human complement system. 4,5) It was demonstrated that a sulfatedpolysaccharide fraction extracted from the brown algae Porphyra haitanesis presents an in vivo antioxidant property, causing an increase in the spleen and thymus size, suggestive of an immunostimulant action. 6) Additionally, sulfated galactans of the red marine algae Bryothamnion seaforthii presented antinociceptive activity in mice 7) and of the red micro algae Pophyridium sp. anti-inflammatory action inhibiting eritema formation after topical use in humans.8) However, studies of sulfated galactans role in models of inflammation in vivo are rare in the literature. Here we isolated and investigated the effects of a sulfated galactan from the red marine algae Champia feldmannii, widely encountered along the South East and North East Brazilian sea coast, in experimental models of acute inflammation, coagulation and nociception. MATERIALS AND METHODS AnimalsMale Wistar rats (150-250 g) and Swiss mice (25-35 g) were maintained with a controlled 12/12 h light/dark cycle, at a temperature of 25°C with free access to food and water. The experimental protocols used in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the State University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, in accordance with international guidelines (NIH publication No. 85-23, revised 1985).Algae Champia feldmannii belongs to the order Rhodymeniales, family Lomentariaceae and was collected in the Pacheco beach of Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil. Algae were classified by Wladimir R. L. Farias, Department of Fishery Engeneering of Federal University of Ceará-Brazil.Erythrocytes Human erythrocytes were obtained from healthy donors at the Hematology Center of the Federal University of Ceará-Brazil.Drugs and Reagents Dextran sulphate, L-carrageenan, Evans blue, zymosan, morphine, cethylpiridinium chloride, sodium acetate, calcium chloride, ketamine, sulphuric acid, papain, 1-9-di-metylene blue (DMB), ethylenodiaminotetracetic acid (EDTA), indomethacin, dexamethasone, pentoxifylline, L-N-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), meclyzine and formamide, N-acetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide, 1,3-diaminopropane, toluidine blue, agarose gel (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, U.S.A. or SigmaAldrich Chemie, Steinheim, Germany); absolute ethanol, sodium chloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 2-mer- 907, 60.455-970, Fortaleza-Ceará-Brasil. R...

Anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties of sulfated-polysaccharides (SP) from marine algae are extensively exploited. However, reports on the vascular effects of SP from red algae are rare in the literature. The polysaccharide from Solieria filiformis (Sf-SP) was isolated by ion exchange chromatography, analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and tested in male Wistar rats. The inflammation studies were performed using the paw-edema model and the relaxant activity in isolated aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine. The anticoagulant effect was evaluated by the test of partial thromboplastin activation time. The SP (1 mg/kg) was not anti-inflammatory, but induced acute edema with maximal activity at 30 min (0.35 ± 0.04 mL) compared to controls (0.05 ± 0.03 mL). Cumulative addition of Sf-SP in phenylephrine-contracted tissues produced relaxation with maximal inhibition of 69% (IC 50 29.3 ± 9.0 μg/mL) at 300 μg/mL in comparison to controls (0.51 ± 0.09 g). Sf-SP also extended human plasma coagulation time by 2.1 times. These substances could be used as important tools for the study of vascular alterations.