Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms
Fucoidan is a natural derived compound found in different species of brown algae and in some animals, that has gained attention for its anticancer properties. However, the exact mechanism of action is currently unknown. Therefore, this review will address fucoidans structure, the bioavailability, an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Marine Drugs |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/17/1/32 |
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| author | Geert van Weelden Marcin Bobiński Karolina Okła Willem Jan van Weelden Andrea Romano Johanna M. A. Pijnenborg |
| author_facet | Geert van Weelden Marcin Bobiński Karolina Okła Willem Jan van Weelden Andrea Romano Johanna M. A. Pijnenborg |
| author_sort | Geert van Weelden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fucoidan is a natural derived compound found in different species of brown algae and in some animals, that has gained attention for its anticancer properties. However, the exact mechanism of action is currently unknown. Therefore, this review will address fucoidans structure, the bioavailability, and all known different pathways affected by fucoidan, in order to formulate fucoidans structure and activity in relation to its anti-cancer mechanisms. The general bioactivity of fucoidan is difficult to establish due to factors like species-related structural diversity, growth conditions, and the extraction method. The main pathways influenced by fucoidan are the PI3K/AKT, the MAPK pathway, and the caspase pathway. PTEN seems to be important in the fucoidan-mediated effect on the AKT pathway. Furthermore, the interaction with VEGF, BMP, TGF-β, and estrogen receptors are discussed. Also, fucoidan as an adjunct seems to have beneficial effects, for both the enhanced effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduced toxicity in healthy cells. In conclusion, the multipotent character of fucoidan is promising in future anti-cancer treatment. However, there is a need for more specified studies of the structure–activity relationship of fucoidan from the most promising seaweed species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:21:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dfe7dea7494f4c84b1cbadec83745d10 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1660-3397 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:21:28Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Marine Drugs |
| spelling | doaj.art-dfe7dea7494f4c84b1cbadec83745d102022-12-22T04:09:46ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972019-01-011713210.3390/md17010032md17010032Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer MechanismsGeert van Weelden0Marcin Bobiński1Karolina Okła2Willem Jan van Weelden3Andrea Romano4Johanna M. A. Pijnenborg5Faculty of Science, (Medical) Biology, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The NetherlandsThe First Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, PolandThe First Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The NetherlandsFucoidan is a natural derived compound found in different species of brown algae and in some animals, that has gained attention for its anticancer properties. However, the exact mechanism of action is currently unknown. Therefore, this review will address fucoidans structure, the bioavailability, and all known different pathways affected by fucoidan, in order to formulate fucoidans structure and activity in relation to its anti-cancer mechanisms. The general bioactivity of fucoidan is difficult to establish due to factors like species-related structural diversity, growth conditions, and the extraction method. The main pathways influenced by fucoidan are the PI3K/AKT, the MAPK pathway, and the caspase pathway. PTEN seems to be important in the fucoidan-mediated effect on the AKT pathway. Furthermore, the interaction with VEGF, BMP, TGF-β, and estrogen receptors are discussed. Also, fucoidan as an adjunct seems to have beneficial effects, for both the enhanced effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduced toxicity in healthy cells. In conclusion, the multipotent character of fucoidan is promising in future anti-cancer treatment. However, there is a need for more specified studies of the structure–activity relationship of fucoidan from the most promising seaweed species.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/17/1/32fucoidanstructurecancernatural productbrown algaeAKTMAPK |
| spellingShingle | Geert van Weelden Marcin Bobiński Karolina Okła Willem Jan van Weelden Andrea Romano Johanna M. A. Pijnenborg Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms Marine Drugs fucoidan structure cancer natural product brown algae AKT MAPK |
| title | Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms |
| title_full | Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms |
| title_fullStr | Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms |
| title_short | Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms |
| title_sort | fucoidan structure and activity in relation to anti cancer mechanisms |
| topic | fucoidan structure cancer natural product brown algae AKT MAPK |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/17/1/32 |
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