The biomedical frontier of fucoidan and laminarin: emerging insights

Laminarin and fucoidan, two marine-derived polysaccharides, have garnered attention in biomedical research due to their unique bioactive properties. Laminarin, a β-glucan composed of glucose linked by β-1,3 and β-1,6 glycosidic bonds, and fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, both demonstrate strong biocompatibility, low toxicity, and the ability to modulate cellular behaviors, making them promising candidates for various therapeutic applications. Recent research highlights their roles in tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, and oncology. Laminarin and fucoidan both support cell adhesion, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, fostering tissue regeneration and wound repair. In drug delivery, both are often incorporated into nano- or microcarriers, where they can enhance targeted delivery, modulate release kinetics, and improve bioavailability due to their bioadhesive and biological activity. Both compounds have also exhibited potential in cancer therapy-laminarin by inducing apoptosis and fucoidan through its anti-angiogenic and immune-modulating properties. Furthermore, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics suggest applications in managing chronic inflammatory conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. While laminarin and fucoidan hold immense therapeutic potential, challenges such as scalable production, cost-effectiveness, and maintaining stability in complex environments remain. Future research is needed to address these hurdles and fully harness their biomedical capabilities. This review compiles recent advancements, identifies gaps in knowledge, and outlines future strategies to maximize laminarin's and fucoidan's therapeutic potential, paving the way for innovative medical applications.