Marine compounds with therapeutic potential in gram-negative sepsis

Mar Drugs. 2013 Jun 19;11(6):2216-29. doi: 10.3390/md11062216.

Abstract

This paper concerns the potential use of compounds, including lipid A, chitosan, and carrageenan, from marine sources as agents for treating endotoxemic complications from Gram-negative infections, such as sepsis and endotoxic shock. Lipid A, which can be isolated from various species of marine bacteria, is a potential antagonist of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide (LPSs)). Chitosan is a widespread marine polysaccharide that is derived from chitin, the major component of crustacean shells. The potential of chitosan as an LPS-binding and endotoxin-neutralizing agent is also examined in this paper, including a discussion on the generation of hydrophobic chitosan derivatives to increase the binding affinity of chitosan to LPS. In addition, the ability of carrageenan, which is the polysaccharide of red alga, to decrease the toxicity of LPS is discussed. We also review data obtained using animal models that demonstrate the potency of carrageenan and chitosan as antiendotoxin agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aquatic Organisms / chemistry*
  • Carrageenan / chemistry
  • Carrageenan / isolation & purification
  • Carrageenan / pharmacology
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Chitosan / isolation & purification
  • Chitosan / pharmacology
  • Endotoxemia / drug therapy
  • Endotoxemia / microbiology
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Lipid A / chemistry
  • Lipid A / isolation & purification
  • Lipid A / pharmacology
  • Sepsis / drug therapy*
  • Sepsis / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Lipid A
  • Carrageenan
  • Chitosan