Fucoidan Fucoidan Research Health Benefit of Fucoidan

Examine fucoidan polysaccharide’s impact on rat wound healing process

December 18, 2023

The polysaccharides found in seaweed are known for their exceptional potency and diverse composition. In this blog, I would like to introduce the research from a study, “Investigation of effects of fucoidan polysaccharides extracted from two species of Padina on the wound-healing process in the rat” by Moazameh Kordjazj et al. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of fucoidan polysaccharides for their wound-healing properties.

First, fucoidan from two species of Spadina, P. tetrachromatic and P. boergesenii, were extracted and analyzed using high-performance anion exchange. A total of 40 male rats, under sterile conditions, were assigned to 4 groups and subjected to the performance of two identical paravertebral full-thickness skin wounds, either by burn or excision, while they were anesthetized. Either fucoidan ointment or vehicle (ointment base) was applied to rats’ wounds twice a day for 14 days.

The Fucoidan derived from both types of seaweeds demonstrated a noteworthy decrease in wound area when compared to the control group over multiple time intervals following treatment. The wound area experienced a noticeable decrease at various time points (ranging from day 3 to day 14) when treated with both algal fucoidan, as indicated in Figure 1. Microscopic findings also revealed an improvement in the wound healing process by both algal Fucoidans. This includes a shortened angiogenic phase, early proliferation of fibroblasts, and increased formation of hair follicles and epidermis. (See Figure 2)

In the study, P. boergesenii extracted fucoidan showed significant wound area reduction improvement (better than P. tetrastromatica), especially in the excision model (P < 0.05). (See Figure. 1) The exact mechanism behind this contraction is not completely understood, but there appears to be a complex interaction between contractile fibroblasts called myofibroblasts and matrix components that may be involved. The benefits of contractile changes in excisional wounds outweigh those in burn wounds, primarily because of histopathological differences. This fact is further corroborated by the findings in Figures 1 and 2, which highlight the role of P. boergesenii. The sulfate content of the P. boergesenii extracted polysaccharide was found to be significantly higher (32.6±1%) than that of Tetrastromatica (19±1%), indicating a notable difference between the two. The presence of higher levels of sulfate may contribute to enhanced wound healing properties.

The purified fucoidan interacts with nearby cells by stimulating the synthesis of growth factors and maintaining the stability of heparin activity. Fucoidan binds to several growth factors such as HGF, FGF, etc. Angiogenesis, which occurs during the wound-healing process, contributes secondarily to the secretion of vital growth factors. For example, vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and TGF-β. In vivo, basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), which is a widely recognized cytokine known for its ability to stimulate fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells, can induce angiogenesis.

Consistent with this hypothesis, in the present study, we observed a decrease in the extent of vascular beds in pathological tissue samples obtained from resected and burned animals treated with both algal fucoidans. The observation of an improvement in epithelialization was made with the use of both algal fucoidans. Successful re-epithelialization of excisional wounds depends on a combination of factors, including efficient proliferation and migration of epidermal progenitor cells from the injured skin and hair follicle edges.

Both algal fucoidans have the potential to stimulate the epithelium, primarily by facilitating fibroblast migration to the wound area and generating paracrine effects.

The study provided evidence that fucoidan, which was extracted from two types of brown algae (P. boergesenii and P. tetrachromatic) found in the Persian Gulf, is abundant in sulfate and possesses therapeutic qualities. This is the first time that the healing properties of fucoidan have been demonstrated in full-thickness burn and excisional wound models in rats. Topical ointments made with P. borgesseni fucoidan appear to be more effective than P. tetrachroic fucoidan, especially in cases of excision.

There may be a correlation between the wound healing model and a higher sulfate content.

(Figure. 1) Photographs of burn wounds treated with two different algal fucoidan ointments on days 3, 7, and 10
(Figure. 2) Light microscopic examination of rats’ burn wounds after 7 days

Source: Turk J Vet Anim Sci (2017) 41: 106-117© TÜBİTAK doi:10.3906/vet-1603-21

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