Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME) and toxicity profile of marine sulfated polysaccharides used in bionanotechnology

Abstract

Sulfated polysaccharides extracted from marine algae and bacteria constitute an important class of biomacromolecules as they are characterized by biocompatibility, biodegradability and low immunogenicity. Recent advances in bionanotechnology are attributed to identification of marine sulfated polysaccharides of unique composition and functional properties. Promising results obtained so far justify the need for additional research in the study of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME) of these novel biopolymer-based nanomaterials in human body after administration by oral or parenteral route for therapeutic or diagnostic purpose. In vitro enzymatic degradation pathways should be investigated in order to yield commercially valuable oligomers. The goal of the present review is to enlighten on the ADME, cytotoxicity and in vitro enzymatic degradation of three marine sulfated polysaccharides, fucoidan, ulvan and mauran, obtained from brown seaweeds or macroalgae in the class of Phaeophyceae, members of Ulvales (green algae) and halophilic bacteria, respectively. They are presently being exploited in fabrication of nanoplatforms with novel applications in the field of controlled drug delivery, tissue regeneration scaffolds, cancer therapy, and bioimaging. However, significant research still needs to be carried out to characterize ADME of mauran and to improve production of the biopolymers on a large scale in order to find out clinically relevant solutions to establish these sulfated polysachharide-based nanotools as novel bionanotechnology strategies in future.

Biological Potential, Gastrointestinal Digestion, Absorption, and Bioavailability of Algae-Derived Compounds with Neuroprotective Activity: A Comprehensive Review

“…Polysaccharides from macroalgae have β (1→4) linkages that humans cannot digest, being indigestible dietary fibres. These fibres are partially fermented by colonic microflora into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) [395,396]. However, fucoidan and ulvan are soluble dietary fibres, although they have high viscosity in an aqueous medium [396].…”

“…These fibres are partially fermented by colonic microflora into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) [395,396]. However, fucoidan and ulvan are soluble dietary fibres, although they have high viscosity in an aqueous medium [396]. The fucoidan structure isolated from macroalgae belonging to the order Fucales is mainly composed of alternating (1→3) and (1→4)-linked α-L-fucose residues.…”

“…Due to the high molecular weight of fucoidan, this polysaccharide cannot be degraded by human digestive enzymes [396]. Chen et al [395] reported that SPs extracted from A. nodosum were not degraded by human saliva because these SPs have α (1→6) linkages that are not degraded by salivary amylase.…”

Progress in Modern Marine Biomaterials Research

“…Fucoidans were reported to be biocompatible, biodegradable and demonstrated low cytotoxicity and immunogenicity [144,[150][151][152]. Some studies, however, pointed to their cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, which paves the way to their use as anticancer agents [153].…”