Fucoidan and Lung Function: Value in Viral Infection

Abstract

Compromised lung function is a feature of both infection driven and non-infective pathologies. Viral infections—including the current pandemic strain SARS-CoV-2—that affect lung function can cause both acute and long-term chronic damage. SARS-CoV-2 infection suppresses innate immunity and promotes an inflammatory response. Targeting these aspects of SARS-CoV-2 is important as the pandemic affects greater proportions of the population. In clinical and animal studies, fucoidans have been shown to increase innate immunity and decrease inflammation. In addition, dietary fucoidan has been shown to attenuate pulmonary damage in a model of acute viral infection. Direct inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro has been described, but is not universal. This short review summarizes the current research on fucoidan with regard to viral lung infections and lung damage.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides Isolated from the Edible Brown Seaweed, Sargassum fulvellum

“…Sulfated polysaccharides isolated from seaweeds have been reported to possess various bioactivities [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In particular, seaweed-derived sulfated polysaccharides possess potent immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects [ 12 , 17 ].…”

Seaweed-Derived Sulfated Polysaccharides as Potential Agents for Prevention and Treatment of Influenza and COVID-19

“…На данном этапе развития знаний о фукоиданах, как о противовирусных соединениях, J. H. Fitton и соавт. [91] рекомендуют использовать эти полисахариды в качестве дополнительных средств для ограничения патологических процессов, вызванных респираторными вирусами, в том числе SARS-CoV-2, путём восстановления врождённых иммунных функций и подавления воспаления. Кроме того, коронавирус, например, подавляет иммунные реакции в кишечнике [92], ограничивая аутокринное действие интерферонов типа I и III [93].…”

Antiviral Activity of Two Marine Carotenoids against SARS-CoV-2 Virus Entry In Silico and In Vitro

“…These results indicate that SX effectively interferes with interaction of S-glycoprotein and ACE2, but FX does not. In recent studies, sulfated polysaccharides [ 28 , 29 ], fucoidan [ 30 ], and some crude polysaccharide extractions [ 31 ] effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 entry in vitro. According to studies so far, highly branched and sulfated polysaccharides with high molecular weight can effectively inhibit COVID-19 viral infection.…”