Biomedical applications of laminarin. (15th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zargarzadeh, Mehrzad; Amaral, Adérito J.R.; Custódio, Catarina A.; Mano, João F.
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 232(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-15
• Subjects: Laminarin -- Beta-glucan -- Seaweed -- Anti-tumor -- Tissue engineering -- Antioxidant; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115774
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Review of key properties of laminarin. Analysis of chemical modification strategies of this polysaccharide. Discussion on its emerging applications in biomedicine. Abstract: The ocean is par excellence a fertile territory of biodiversity on our planet. Marine-derived polysaccharides have been applied as functional materials in biomedicine due to their attractive bioactive properties, safety, high availability and low-cost production. Laminarin (or laminaran), a low molecular weight β-glucan storage polysaccharide present in brown algae, can be (bio-) chemically modified to enhance its biological activity and employed in cancer therapies, drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. This review provides a brief overview on laminarin characteristics, modification strategies and highlights its pivotal biomedical applications.