A review of anticoagulant and anticancer properties of fucoidan polysaccharide extracted from brown algae

Algae are one of the most valuable natural resources in the world. These organisms have bioactive compounds that are widely used in medical and pharmaceutical fields. Fucoidan is one of the sulfated polysaccharides that is extracted from marine algae, mainly from brown algae. In recent years, it has been identified as an anticoagulant and anticancer agent. Due to the presence of some species of brown algae such as the genus Sargassum, Iran has a lot of potential for extracting this valuable compound. The study of the therapeutic properties of fucoidan can reveal several aspects of the biological activity of this important compound. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the anticoagulant and anti-cancerous properties of fucoidan polysaccharide. This study can be useful in reflecting the biological properties of this polysaccharide.