The beneficial properties of marine polysaccharides in alleviation of allergic responses

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 Jan;59(1):129-38. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201400412. Epub 2014 Dec 5.

Abstract

Marine polysaccharides have been found as the principle component in cell wall structures of seaweeds or exoskeletons of crustaceans. Due to numerous pharmaceutical properties of marine polysaccharides such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antitumor, antiobesity, antidiabetes, anticoagulant, antiviral, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, and antihepatopathy activities, they have been applied in many fields of biomaterials, food, cosmetic, and pharmacology. Recently, several marine polysaccharides such alginate, porphyran, fucoidan, and chitin and its derivatives have been evidenced as downregulators of allergic responses due to enhancement of innate immune system, alteration of Th1/Th2 balance forward to Th1 cells, inhibition of IgE production, and suppression of mast cell degranulation. This contribution, therefore, focuses on antiallergic properties of marine polysaccharides and emphasizes their potential application as bioactive food ingredients as well as nutraceuticals for prevention of allergic disorders.

Keywords: Allergic reaction; Chitin; Fucoidans; Marine polysaccharides; Th1 cells; Th2 cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / chemistry
  • Alginates / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Chitin / analogs & derivatives
  • Chitin / chemistry
  • Chitin / pharmacology*
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Chitosan / pharmacology
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
  • Glucuronic Acid / pharmacology
  • Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
  • Hexuronic Acids / pharmacology
  • Hypersensitivity / drug therapy*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Mast Cells / immunology
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Seaweed / chemistry*
  • Sepharose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Sepharose / chemistry
  • Sepharose / pharmacology
  • Th1-Th2 Balance

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Polysaccharides
  • oligochitosan
  • porphyran
  • Chitin
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Glucuronic Acid
  • Sepharose
  • Chitosan
  • fucoidan