Fucoidan

Fucoidan

Immune support

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide primarily found in various species of brown seaweed such as kombu, wakame, mozuku, and bladderwrack. It has garnered attention due to its wide range of biological activities, including anticoagulant, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties and potential antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties.

Fucoidan consists of a complex structure, predominantly composed of fucose and sulfate groups, along with minor amounts of galactose, xylose, and glucuronic acid. The extraction methods of fucoidan, which can affect its yield and bioactivity, typically involve hot water extraction or enzymatic processes.

Fucoidan exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities, which are attributed to its ability to disrupt microbial cell walls and inhibit microbial adhesion to surfaces. This makes fucoidan a potential candidate for treating various bacterial infections, especially those resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Features:

- Immune Modulation - It enhances immune response and exhibits potential anti-cancer properties by inducing apoptosis in various cancer cell lines.

- Anticoagulant and Antithrombotic Effects - Similar to heparin, fukoidan possesses anticoagulant properties, making it useful in preventing blood clots.

- Anti-inflammatory Activity - It can reduce inflammation, a property beneficial in chronic diseases and conditions characterized by inflammation.

-Biofilm Inhibition - fucoidan can inhibit the formation of biofilms by preventing the initial adhesion of bacteria and has antimicrobial activities against oral pathogens responsible for dental plaque and cavities

Fucoidan in Ophthalmology

Research into the application of fucoidan in ophthalmology is relatively recent but promising due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. These properties suggest potential benefits in treating eye conditions that involve oxidative stress and inflammation, such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and uveitis.

Fucoidan may help protect against cellular damage in the retina caused by oxidative stress, thereby potentially slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Its ability to modulate inflammatory responses could be beneficial in treating uveitis and other inflammatory conditions of the eye.

Recent studies have shown that fucoidan can inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays a significant role in the pathological angiogenesis seen in diabetic retinopathy and wet-type age-related macular degeneration. This anti-angiogenic effect offers a new avenue for therapy development.

The research into fucoidan's antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities suggests its potential utility in a range of clinical applications, from dental health products to coatings for medical devices that require resistance to microbial colonization and biofilm formation.

References:

1. Fitton, J.H., et al. (2015). Therapies from Fucoidan: An Update. Marine Drugs, 13(9), 5920-5946.

2. Li, B., et al. (2008). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of fukoidan in various disease models. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

3. Nakano, T., et al. (2010). Effects of Fucoidan on Collagenase-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 235(6), 605-611.

4. Xue, M., et al. (2012). Characterization and in vitro bioactivity of fucoidan extracted from cultured Laminaria japonica sporophylls. Journal of Applied Phycology.

5.Jun, Y. J., et al. (2018). Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae against dental plaque bacteria. Marine Drugs, 16(9), 301.

6. Raju, P., & Natarajan, S. (2023). Anticancer, anti-biofilm and antimicrobial activity of fucoidan-loaded zeolitic imidazole framework fabricated by one-pot synthesis method. Applied Nanoscience.

7.Rajasekaran, J., & Viswanathan, P. (2023). Anti-bacterial and antibiofilm properties of seaweed polysaccharide-based nanoparticles. Aquaculture International,

8. Rao, S. S., et al. (2020). Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles using fucoidan: Characterization and assessment of biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.