Multifaceted applications of ulvan polysaccharides: Insights on biopharmaceutical avenues

Ulvans are water-soluble sulfated polysaccharides predominantly found in the cell wall of green algae. They hold unique characteristics that are attributed to their 3D conformation, functional groups along with the presence of saccharides and sulfate ions. Traditionally, ulvans are widely used as food supplements and probiotics owing to the high content of carbohydrates. Despite their widespread usage in food industry, an in-depth understanding is required for extrapolating their potential application as a nutraceutical and medicinal agent which could be beneficial in promoting human health and well-being. This review emphasizes novel therapeutic avenues where ulvan polysaccharides can be used beyond their nutritional applications. A collection of literature points towards multifarious applications of ulvan in various biomedical fields. Structural aspects along with extraction and purification methods have been discussed. The underlying molecular mechanisms associated with its biomedical potential in different therapeutic fields like oncology, infectious diseases, inflammation, neuroprotection and tissue engineering, etc. have been unravelled. Challenges associated with clinical translation and future perspectives have been deliberated.