Novel antiviral fucoidan from sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida (Mekabu)

Structural characterization and antiviral activities of fucoidan from sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida (Mekabu) was examined. The fucoidan was composed of fucose and galactose with an approximately ratio of 1.0 : 1.1. Degree of substitution of sulfate was 0.72 and its apparent molecular weight was 9000. Methylation analyses showed that fucoidan had various sugar linkages, and revealed that the fucoidan might have complicated structure. This fucoidan showed potent antiviral activities against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and human cytomegalovirus.