Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Fucoidan: A Review

Abstract

Inflammation is the initial response of the immune system to potentially harmful stimuli (e.g., injury, stress, and infections). The process involves activation of macrophages and neutrophils, which produce mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are considered as biomarkers of inflammation. Even though it occurs as a physiological defense mechanism, its involvement in the pathogenesis of various diseases is reported. Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular diseases are only a part of the diseases, in which pathogenesis the chronic inflammation is involved. Fucoidans are complex polysaccharides from brown seaweeds and some marine invertebrates, composed mainly of L-fucose and sulfate ester groups and minor amounts of neutral monosaccharides and uronic acids. Algae-derived fucoidans are studied intensively during the last years regarding their multiple biological activities and possible therapeutic potential. However, the source, species, molecular weight, composition, and structure of the polysaccharides, as well as the route of administration of fucoidans, could be crucial for their effects. Fucoidan is reported to act on different stages of the inflammatory process: (i) blocking of lymphocyte adhesion and invasion, (ii) inhibition of multiple enzymes, and (iii) induction of apoptosis. In this review, we focused on the immunemodulating and anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidans derived from macroalgae and the models used for their evaluation. Additional insights on the molecular structure of the compound are included.

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 ].…”

Biomaterials from the sea: Future building blocks for biomedical applications

“…[ 35 ] with permission from the publisher; D is reproduced from Ref. [ 36 ] with permission from the publisher; E is reproduced from Ref. [ 37 ] with permission from publisher).…”

“…Other monosaccharides such as xylose, galactose and uronic acids may also combine with the fucosyl main chain to form fucoidan. The specific structure of fucoidans is complicated and variable, depending on the source and extraction process [ 36 , 71 , 72 ].…”

“…For anti-inflammatory activity, fucoidans are able to block lymphocyte adhesion and invasion, inhibit multiple enzymes, induce apoptosis and regulate excretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines ( Fig. 1 D) [ 36 ]. Moreover, fucoidan initiates a variety of immunoregulatory effects.…”

The Potency of Seaweed Sulfated Polysaccharides for the Correction of Hemostasis Disorders in COVID-19

“…In addition to being strong anticoagulants, antithrombotics, and fibrinolytics, PSs are also able to exhibit other effects that are useful in the treatment of viral infections, accounting for known data on their antiviral activity [116][117][118][119], anti-inflammatory activity, and ability to reduce the proinflammatory cytokine production and other beneficial effects [17,56,[120][121][122][123][124]. Such a wide range of biological activity is due to the chemical nature of PSs.…”