Diversity, mechanism and structure-activity relationships of marine anticoagulant-active polysaccharides: A review

Thrombosis is a major complication of cardiovascular disease that can lead to fatal myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke and venous thromboembolism, posing a significant threat to human health and even life. Recent research showed that polysaccharides from marine organisms, including marine plants and marine animals, exhibit excellent anticoagulant activity. However, different marine anticoagulant-active polysaccharides (MAPs) exhibit significant differences in both the structure and anticoagulant activity. This review systematically summarizes the diversity and structure of MAPs from the last 30 years. We compared the anticoagulant activity and drug development potential of MAPs from different organisms including red algae, green algae, brown algae, marine fish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, etc., and analyzed the structure-activity relationships of some MAPs with specific structures. In addition, we also discuss the current challenges and future perspectives of MAPs for the development of novel anticoagulant drugs. This review not only offers a comprehensive understanding of the diversity of marine anticoagulant polysaccharides but also provides valuable reference and guidance for the development of novel anticoagulant drugs in the future.