Undaria pinnatifida-extracted Fucoidan

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the cell walls of the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (U. pinnatifida), also known as Wakame, with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, antiviral, antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic, pro-apoptotic, and anti-coagulant activities. Upon administration of U. pinnatifida -extracted fucoidan, this agent seems to exert numerous effects through various mechanisms of action. Fucoidan induces cell cycle arrest, activates caspases, induces apoptosis, and inhibits tumor cell proliferation in susceptible tumor cells. It also increases the expression of tumor suppressors, such as p53, while decreasing levels of certain tumor promoters. It also promotes the degradation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFb) receptor and the inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and prevents tumor progression, alters the tumor microenvironment (TME) and decreases the tumor-promoting M2 macrophages in the TME. Fucoidan has anti-inflammatory effects that suppress the expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2), and decrease the production of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1b) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (TNFa). This agent may also suppress angiogenic activity by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor expression and VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation. As an antioxidant, this agent protects cells against oxidative stress by scavenging superoxide radicals and induces the expression of the anti-oxidant nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and that of its target gene, superoxide dismutase; and prevents reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation in cancer cells and ROS release into the TME. Fucoidan also has immune-modulatory effects and enhances the proliferation of natural killer (NKs) cells and cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs). It may also help prevent blood clots, may improve fatigue, may improve gut health, and may help in wound healing.

**Synonyms:** - U. pinnatifida-extracted Fucoidan