Description
Fucoidan from Macrocystis pyrifera is a fucan sulphate that has been demonstrated to have anticoagulant action. Although galactose exists, the primary elements of fucoidan are α-1,4 and α-1,2 linked L-fucose sulphates, and there are various variants of the fundamental structure found in different species of Phaeophyta.
Applications
Fucoidan stimulates macrophages, which then can be used to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and causes natural killer cell proliferation. Fucoidan can be used as a nonselective selectin inhibitor that has been proven to promote apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis.
