Fucoidan-based pharmaceutical formulations for the delivery of phytochemicals: A review

Fucoidan-based nanoparticles have emerged as a promising nanocarrier system for phytochemical delivery, combining the biological activity of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from brown seaweeds, with modern nanotechnology to overcome the limitations of plant-derived therapeutics. These systems improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of phytochemicals while enabling targeted, sustained, and controlled release. The unique chemical structure of fucoidan promotes effective drug encapsulation and P-selectin-mediated targeting of tumours and inflamed tissues. Recent fabrication approaches, including ionic gelation, antisolvent precipitation, and self-assembly, have optimized their physicochemical and stimuli-responsive properties for cancer and inflammatory disease management. Preclinical studies with fucoidan-based nanocarriers loaded with compounds such as curcumin, quercetin, and epigallocatechin gallate demonstrate enhanced cellular uptake, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved therapeutic efficacy. The combination of fucoidan's intrinsic bioactivity with its nanocarrier potential highlights its promise as a next-generation platform for phytochemical delivery, warranting further clinical investigation and standardization to advance its translational applicability.