Biological Properties and Health-Promoting Functions of Laminarin: A Comprehensive Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Abstract

Marine algal species comprise of a large portion of polysaccharides which have shown multifunctional properties and health benefits for treating and preventing human diseases. Laminarin, or β-glucan, a storage polysaccharide from brown algae, has been reported to have potential pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-coagulant, anticancer, immunomodulatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and neuroprotective potential. It has been widely investigated as a functional material in biomedical applications as it is biodegradable, biocompatible, and is low toxic substances. The reported preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate the potential of laminarin as natural alternative agents in biomedical and industrial applications such as nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, functional food, drug development/delivery, and cosmeceuticals. This review summarizes the biological activities of laminarin, including mechanisms of action, impacts on human health, and reported health benefits. Additionally, this review also provides an overview of recent advances and identifies gaps and opportunities for further research in this field. It further emphasizes the molecular characteristics and biological activities of laminarin in both preclinical and clinical settings for the prevention of the diseases and as potential therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: algal polysaccharide; bioactive compounds; biological activity; biomedical application; clinical; human health; laminarin; preclinical.

Figure 1

Seaweed polysaccharides have been investigated for commercial applications due to their reported properties and bioactivities.

Figure 2

Structure of laminarin.

Figure 3

Antioxidant mechanisms. (a) Overview of marine-derived polysaccharides in alleviating oxidative stress-mediated diseases. Reprinted with permission from reference [97]. Copyright 2022, Zhong et al. (b) Antioxidant action of β-glucan. Reprinted with permission from reference [96]. Copyright 2022, Wani et al.

Figure 4

Immunomodulatory mechanism of β-glucan. (a) The uptake and subsequent actions of β-glucan on immune cells (b) Immune activation induced on a variety of membranes. Reprinted with permission from reference [74]. Copyright 2022, Chan et al.

Figure 5

Mode of action in intestinal gut health (a) Action of absorption of β-glucan (b) influence of β-glucan in colon cancer via the gut microbiota. Reprinted with permission from reference [99]. Copyright 2022, Jayachandran et al.

Figure 6

Schematic representation of the antiobesity action of dietary polysaccharides on the insulin signaling pathway. Reprinted with permission from reference [44]. Copyright 2022, Ganesan and Xu et al.

Figure 7

Antidiabetic mechanisms (a) Action of DPP-4 inhibitors on glucose homeostasis (b) Different antidiabetic mechanisms of active agents of brown algae. Reprinted with permission from reference [41]. Copyright 2022, Gunathilaka et al.

Figure 8

Anticancer mechanism of algal polysaccharide. 1: immunomodulation; 2: cytotoxicity; 3: cell cycle arrest; 4: NO-dependent pathway; 5: mitochondrial disruption. Reprinted from with permission from reference [101]. Copyright 2022, Ouyang et al.