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This paper concerns the potential use of compounds, including lipid A, chitosan, and carrageenan, from marine sources as agents for treating endotoxemic complications from Gram-negative infections, such as sepsis and endotoxic shock. Lipid A, which can be isolated from various species of marine bacteria, is a potential antagonist of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide (LPSs)). Chitosan is a widespread marine polysaccharide that is derived from chitin, the major component of crustacean shells. The potential of chitosan as an LPS-binding and endotoxin-neutralizing agent is also examined in this paper, including a discussion on the generation of hydrophobic chitosan derivatives to increase the binding affinity of chitosan to LPS. In addition, the ability of carrageenan, which is the polysaccharide of red alga, to decrease the toxicity of LPS is discussed. We also review data obtained using animal models that demonstrate the potency of carrageenan and chitosan as antiendotoxin agents.

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The possibility of using different types of carrageenans (CRG) as matrixes for incorporating of echinochrome A (Ech) was investigated. Ech interacts with carrageenans and is incorporated into the macromolecular structure of the polysaccharide. The inclusion of Ech in carrageenan matrices decreased its oxidative degradation and improved its solubility. The changing in the charge and morphology of CRGs during binding with Ech was observed. The rate of Ech release from CRG matrices depended on the structure of the used polysaccharide and the presence of specific ions. The gastroprotective effect of CRG/Ech complexes was investigated on the model of stomach ulcers induced by indomethacin in rats. Complexes of CRG/Ech exhibited significant gastroprotective activity that exceeded the activity of the reference drug Phosphalugel. The gastroprotective effect of the complexes can be associated with their protective layer on the surface of the mucous membrane of a stomach.