The role of algal fucoidans in potential anti-allergic therapeutics

Int J Biol Macromol. 2020 Dec 15;165(Pt A):1093-1098. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.09.252. Epub 2020 Oct 5.

Abstract

Allergic diseases are among the commonest causes of chronic ill-health and are rapidly rising the prevalence and complexity. Although the current drugs are efficacy for treatment of allergic diseases, however the extensive clinical use of these drugs has led to the diverse and undesirable side effects. Thus, the extensive studies of alternative anti-allergic agents from natural products are essential for a long-term purpose. Marine environment covers a huge source of extremely potential secondary metabolites for drug discovery. Among them, fucoidans from brown seaweeds have been evidenced to possess various biological activities and health benefit effects. Notably, a great deal of interest has been expressed regarding anti-allergic activity of fucoidans. Consequently, this contribution presents an overview of potential anti-allergic therapeutics of fucoidans from brown seaweeds to emphasize its functions in prevention as well as treatment of allergic diseases.

Keywords: Allergy; Brown seaweeds; Fucoidan; IgE; Marine organisms.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Allergic Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / drug therapy*
  • Phaeophyceae / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides / therapeutic use
  • Seaweed / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Polysaccharides
  • fucoidan