Journal
MARINE DRUGS
Volume 19, Issue 1, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/md19010030
Keywords
fucoidan; natural bioproducts; antidiabetic; anticancer; glucose metabolism
Categories
Funding
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) In-Region Scholarship [57408782]
- South African National Research Foundation (NRF) [116951]
- Henderson Scholarship
- National Research Foundation of South Africa [98566, 105829]
- Rhodes University
- Pearson and Young Memorial scholarship
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Fucoidans are complex polysaccharides derived from brown seaweeds with reported bioactive characteristics such as antidiabetic and anticancer properties. However, the understanding of the structure and biological activity of fucoidan remains unclear. Limited data exists on the dual chemotherapeutic efforts for the link between diabetes and cancer.
Fucoidans are complex polysaccharides derived from brown seaweeds which consist of considerable proportions of L-fucose and other monosaccharides, and sulphated ester residues. The search for novel and natural bioproduct drugs (due to toxicity issues associated with chemotherapeutics) has led to the extensive study of fucoidan due to reports of it having several bioactive characteristics. Among other fucoidan bioactivities, antidiabetic and anticancer properties have received the most research attention in the past decade. However, the elucidation of the fucoidan structure and its biological activity is still vague. In addition, research has suggested that there is a link between diabetes and cancer; however, limited data exist where dual chemotherapeutic efforts are elucidated. This review provides an overview of glucose metabolism, which is the central process involved in the progression of both diseases. We also highlight potential therapeutic targets and show the relevance of fucoidan and its derivatives as a candidate for both cancer and diabetes therapy.
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