Fucoidan from Marine Macroalgae: Biological Actions and Applications in Regenerative Medicine, Drug Delivery Systems and Food Industry

Abstract

The marine macroalgae produce a collection of bioactive polysaccharides, of which the sulfated heteropolysaccharide fucoidan produced by brown algae of the class Phaeophyceae has received worldwide attention because of its particular biological actions that confer nutritional and health benefits to humans and animals. The biological actions of fucoidan are determined by their structure and chemical composition, which are largely influenced by the geographical location, harvest season, extraction process, etc. This review discusses the structure, chemical composition and physicochemical properties of fucoidan. The biological action of fucoidan and its applications for human health, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and drug delivery are also addressed. The industrial scenario and prospects of research depicted would give an insight into developing fucoidan as a commercially viable and sustainable bioactive material in the nutritional and pharmacological sectors.

Keywords: anticancer; antimicrobial; antioxidant; antiviral; food packaging; fucoidan; regenerative medicine.

Figure 1

Structure of fucoidan. Type I fucoidan has repeating units of α-(1→3)-linked α-L-fucopyranose and Type II fucoidan has alternately repeating units of α-(1→3)- and α-(1→4)-linked α-L-fucopyranose [31].

Figure 2

Processes in the extraction, purification and applications of fucoidan.

Figure 3

Hepatoprotective action of fucoidan. Fucoidan increases the levels of glutathione peroxidase-4, glutathione and hepcidin; ameliorates alcohol-induced ferroptosis damage in the liver by up-regulation of p62/Keap1/Nrf2/SLC7A11 pathway; activates SIRT1/AMPK/PGC1α signaling pathway in non-alcoholic liver disease. (Green arrows indicate increase in synthesis or up-regulation of gene expression). Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione scavenge free radicals. Hepcidin reduces iron absorption through ubiquitin-dependent proteasome degradation of divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1); p62 recruits ubiquitinated Keap1 proteins to autophagosomes and promotes expression of Nrf2; Nrf2 promotes downstream gene transcription of SLC7A11; SLC7A11 is a transmembrane protein responsible for the cystine/glutamate antiporter to import cystine for glutathione biosynthesis and antioxidant defense. Fucoidan activates SIRT1/AMPK/PGC1α signaling pathway which reduces lipotoxicity-related oxidative stress and inflammation. Fucoidan reduces ROS in hepatocytes; reduces the levels of malondialdehyde, divalent metal transporter-1 and ferroportin-1 to prevent iron overload. (Red arrows indicate decrease in synthesis or activity).

Figure 4

Biomedical applications of fucoidan.

Figure 5

Beneficial properties of active biopolymer food packaging films prepared from fucoidan blended with other polymers, such as chitosan, cellulose, alginate or polylactic acid.