Marine polysaccharides from green seaweeds belonging to the class Ulvophyceae mitigate cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression: an in vivo study

Abstract

Polysaccharides derived from seaweeds possess notable immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of polysaccharides extracted from four green seaweed species-Ulva reticulata (URP), Ulva lactuca (ULP), Ulva fasciata (UFP), and Caulerpa racemosa (CRP)-in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed in vivo model. Polysaccharides were administered at varying doses over 14 days, with 150 mg/Kg body weight (BW) demonstrating the most pronounced effects. ULP treatment significantly restored body weight (199.5 g) compared to the cyclophosphamide group (155.92 g) and notably improved organ weight indices, particularly liver indices (5.28%). Hematological parameters showed marked improvements, including increased red blood cell count (7.55 × 10⁶/μL), hemoglobin levels (10.98 g/dL), and total leukocyte count (13.78 × 10³/μL). Immunoglobulin concentrations were significantly elevated, with IgG reaching 1125.16 and IgM 130.3 mg/dL, alongside a substantial enhancement in survival rates (78.3% vs. 22.4% in the cyclophosphamide group). Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly enhanced, including superoxide dismutase (96.4%), catalase (0.20 U/mg protein), and lactate dehydrogenase (4.11 μg formazan). Among the species tested, ULP exhibited the most potent immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects, mitigating cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and oxidative stress, thereby highlighting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for immune-related disorders.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04307-4.

Keywords: Cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression; Green seaweeds; In vivo study; Marine polysaccharides; Ulvophyceae.