Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential

Abstract

There is a wide variety of cancer types yet, all share some common cellular and molecular behaviors. Most of the chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment are designed to target common deregulated mechanisms within cancer cells. Many healthy tissues are also affected by the cytotoxic effects of these chemical agents. Fucoidan, a natural component of brown seaweed, has anti-cancer activity against various cancer types by targeting key apoptotic molecules. It also has beneficial effects as it can protect against toxicity associated with chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. Thus the synergistic effect of fucoidan with current anti-cancer agents is of considerable interest. This review discusses the mechanisms by which fucoidan retards tumor development, eradicates tumor cells and synergizes with anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Challenges to the development of fucoidan as an anti-cancer agent will also be discussed.

Sulfated polysaccharide-protein complex sensitizes doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

“…In a study on the regulatory effect of sulfated polysaccharides on macrophage-induced tumor cell apoptosis, it was demonstrated that sulfated polysaccharides produced by L. japonica were able to indirectly enhance the cytotoxic effect of macrophages on HepG2 cells (16). However, the majority of previous studies have focused on the ability of SPPC to promote tumor cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor cell proliferation and metastasis when used alone (20,21); few studies have addressed whether SPPC has a synergistic effect when used simultaneously with other chemotherapeutic agents, such as Dox, with a view to clinically alleviate their toxicities. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of SPPC on Dox-induced apoptosis of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line in vitro and in vivo.…”

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

“…Biodistribution studies for 20 days after injection of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) encapsulated in fucoidan-coated gold nanorods revealed the highest accumulation of gold in liver and spleen followed by heart, lungs, kidney and tumors. Fucoidan can thus be said to exhibit preferential accumulation in liver and low levels in systemic circulation (Atashrazm et al, 2015;Nagamine et al, 2015;Manivasagan et al, 2017). Rapid clearance of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with 99m Tc labeled fucoidan (USPIO-FUCO) was recorded with half-life of 9 min for rapid component when administered intravenously by a single injection in male Wistar rats.…”

“…It is consumed as dietary component by the people of Japan, Korea and China. Investigations have also proven its efficacy for nutraceutical and cosmetic applications (Kimura et al, 2013;Atashrazm et al, 2015;Felisilda et al, 2017;Majee et al, 2017a). It is also reported to facilitate neovascularization and angiogenesis through mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells, sequestration and enhancement of the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Rujitanaroj et al, 2014).…”

“…Fucoidan or sulfated fucose containing homo-or heteropolysaccharide has been obtained from cell wall matrix and intercellular spaces of various edible species of brown seaweeds or macroalgae in the class of Phaeophyceae, such as Cladosiphono kamuranus, Saccharina japonica (as Laminaria japonica), and Undaria pinnatifida and also marine invertebrates like sea cucumber and sea urchin (Atashrazm et al, 2015;Wells et al, 2017). They are distributed among algae of several orders such as Fucales and Laminariales but also in Chordariales, Dictyotales, Dictyosiphonales, Ectocarpales, and Scytosiphonales.…”

“…Antithrombotic activity of fucoidan is responsible for observed defects in control of bleeding process. Deviations in potassium level within clinical reference range has been noted after 28 days in volunteers to whom a mixture of three extracts [Fucus vesiculosis (85% w/w), Macrocysti spyrifera (10% w/w), and L. japonica (5% w/w)] in capsules containing up to 187.5 mg fucoidan were administered daily (Atashrazm et al, 2015). During assessment of fucoidan activity in vivo as P-selectin inhibitor in experimental ischemia-reperfusion model, administration of fucoidan decreased neutrophil infiltration, platelet deposition in reperfused mycocardial tissue and also decreased the extent of necrosis (Rouzet et al, 2011).…”