Pharmacological profiles of animal- and nonanimal-derived sulfated polysaccharides--comparison of unfractionated heparin, the semisynthetic glucan sulfate PS3, and the sulfated polysaccharide fraction isolated from Delesseria sanguinea

Exploring β-glucan as a micro-nano system for oral delivery targeted the colon

The critical role of oral colon-specific delivery systems (OCDDS) is important for delivering active agents to the colon and rectum specifically via the oral route. The use of micro/nanostructured OCDDS further improves drug stability, bioavailability, and retention time, leading to enhanced therapeutic effects. However, designing micro/nanoscale OCDDSs is challenging due to pH changes, enzymatic degradation, and systemic absorption and metabolism. Biodegradable natural polysaccharides are a promising solution to these problems, and β-glucan is one of the most promising natural polysaccharides due to its unique structural features, conformational flexibility, and specific processing properties. This review covers the diverse chemical structures of β-glucan, its benefits (biocompatibility, easy modification, and colon-specific degradation), and various β-glucan-based micro/nanosized OCDDSs, as well as their drawbacks. The potential of β-glucan offers exciting new opportunities for colon-specific drug delivery.

Comparison of Fucoidans from Saccharina latissima Regarding Age-Related Macular Degeneration Relevant Pathomechanisms in Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Fucoidans from brown algae are described as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiangiogenic. We tested two Saccharina latissima fucoidans (SL-FRO and SL-NOR) regarding their potential biological effects against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Primary porcine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), human RPE cell line ARPE-19, and human uveal melanoma cell line OMM-1 were used. Cell survival was assessed in tetrazolium assay (MTT). Oxidative stress assays were induced with erastin or H2O2. Supernatants were harvested to assess secreted vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in ELISA. Barrier function was assessed by measurement of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Protectin (CD59) and retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein (RPE65) were evaluated in western blot. Polymorphonuclear elastase and complement inhibition assays were performed. Phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments was tested in a fluorescence assay. Secretion and expression of proinflammatory cytokines were assessed with ELISA and real-time PCR. Fucoidans were chemically analyzed. Neither toxic nor antioxidative effects were detected in ARPE-19 or OMM-1. Interleukin 8 gene expression was slightly reduced by SL-NOR but induced by SL-FRO in RPE. VEGF secretion was reduced in ARPE-19 by SL-FRO and in RPE by both fucoidans. Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid induced interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 secretion was reduced by both fucoidans in RPE. CD59 expression was positively influenced by fucoidans, and they exhibited a complement and elastase inhibitory effect in cell-free assay. RPE65 expression was reduced by SL-NOR in RPE. Barrier function of RPE was transiently reduced. Phagocytosis ability was slightly reduced by both fucoidans in primary RPE but not in ARPE-19. Fucoidans from Saccharina latissima, especially SL-FRO, are promising agents against AMD, as they reduce angiogenic cytokines and show anti-inflammatory and complement inhibiting properties; however, potential effects on gene expression and RPE functions need to be considered for further research.

Heparanase Inhibitors in Cancer Progression: Recent Advances

BACKGROUND

An endo-β-glucuronidase enzyme, Heparanase (HPSE), degrades the side chains of polymeric heparan sulfate (HS), a glycosaminoglycan formed by alternate repetitive units of D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid/L-iduronic acid. HS is a major component of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes and has been implicated in processes of the tissue's integrity and functional state. The degradation of HS by HPSE enzyme leads to conditions like inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. An elevated HPSE expression with a poor prognosis and its multiple roles in tumor growth and metastasis has attracted significant interest for its inhibition as a potential anti-neoplastic target.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature from journal publication websites and electronic databases such as Bentham, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, USFDA, etc., about HPSE, its structure, functions, and role in cancer.

RESULTS

The present review is focused on Heparanase inhibitors (HPIns) that have been isolated from natural resources or chemically synthesized as new therapeutics for metastatic tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases in recent years. The recent developments made in the HPSE structure and function are also discussed, which can lead to the future design of HPIns with more potency and specificity for the target.

CONCLUSION

HPIns can be a better target to be explored against various cancers.

Anti-Alzheimer's Materials Isolated from Marine Bio-resources: A Review

The most common type of dementia found in the elderly population is Alzheimer's disease. The disease not only impacts the patients and their families but also the society therefore, the main focus of researchers is to search new bioactive materials for treating AD. The marine environment is a rich source of functional ingredients and to date, we can find sufficient research relating to anti- Alzheimer's compounds isolated from marine environment. Therefore, this review focuses on the anti- Alzheimer's material from marine bio-resources and then expounds on the anti-Alzheimer's compounds from marine seaweed, marine animal and marine microorganisms. Moreover, because of the complexity of the disease, different hypothesizes have been elaborated and active compounds have been isolated to inhibit different stages of pathophysiological mechanisms. Sulfated polysaccharides, glycoprotein, and enzymatic hydrolysates from marine seaweeds, peptides, dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and skeletal polysaccharide from marine animals and secondary metabolites from marine microorganism are summarized in this review under the anti-Alzheimer's compounds from the marine.

Metabolites from Marine Microorganisms, Micro, and Macroalgae: Immense Scope for Pharmacology

Marine organisms produce a large array of natural products with relevance in drug discovery. These compounds have biological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, antivirus, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and so forth. Consequently, several of the metabolites have made it to the advanced stages of clinical trials, and a few of them are commercially available. In this review, novel information on natural products isolated from marine microorganisms, microalgae, and macroalgae are presented. Given due research impetus, these marine metabolites might emerge as a new wave of promising drugs.

Targeting Heparanase in Cancer: Inhibition by Synthetic, Chemically Modified, and Natural Compounds

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase involved in remodeling the extracellular matrix and thereby in regulating multiple cellular processes and biological activities. It cleaves heparan sulfate (HS) side chains of HS proteoglycans into smaller fragments and hence regulates tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, and homeostasis. Heparanase is overexpressed in various carcinomas, sarcomas, and hematological malignancies, and its upregulation correlates with increased tumor size, tumor angiogenesis, enhanced metastasis, and poor prognosis. In contrast, knockdown or inhibition of heparanase markedly attenuates tumor progression, further underscoring the potential of anti-heparanase therapy. Heparanase inhibitors were employed to interfere with tumor progression in preclinical studies, and selected heparin mimetics are being examined in clinical trials. However, despite tremendous efforts, the discovery of heparanase inhibitors with high clinical benefit and minimal adverse effects remains a therapeutic challenge. This review discusses the key roles of heparanase in cancer progression focusing on the status of natural, chemically modified, and synthetic heparanase inhibitors in various types of malignancies.

Degradation of Eight Sulfated Polysaccharides Extracted from Red and Brown Algae and Its Impact on Structure and Pharmacological Activities

Degradation represents a strategy to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of native algae sulfated polysaccharides (SP) with high M_w. The aim of this study was to compare the degradability of four sulfated xylogalactans (SXG) and four fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharides (FRSP) extracted from red and brown algae, respectively, using three simple methods causing no desulfation as well as to examine the chemical and pharmacological changes of the resulting fractions. The achieved degradation proved to be dependent on the basic glycan structure of the SP. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide (3%, 4 h, 50 °C) led to the most efficient degradation of both FRSP and SXG. The M_w decrease was associated with distinct reduction of the activities (complement inhibition (>) elastase inhibition > C1-INH potentiation) and resulted in a modified pharmacological profile. Despite their much lower degree of sulfation, some of the fractions with M_w < 15 kDa exhibited similar or even stronger activities than heparins, whereas they had only weak anticoagulant effects.

Relationship between structural properties and antitumor activity of Astragalus polysaccharides extracted with different temperatures

This study investigated the effects of different temperatures on structural characterization and antitumor activity of polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus. APS4 and APS90 were extracted at 4°C and 90°C, respectively, and purified by Sephadex G-200 column. APS4-90 were obtained from APS4 after treatment at 90°C for 6h. MTT results showed that APS4 possessed the highest inhibitory effects on MGC-803, A549 and HepG2 cells. HPGPC analysis showed that the average molecular weights of these polysaccharides were approximately 1.5×10⁶Da, while the asymmetrical peak of APS4-90 suggested heat degradation and configuration changes of APS4. GC, NMR and methylation results showed that these three polysaccharides had similar monosaccharide components (mainly contain glucose), and their backbones were composed of (1→2)‑α‑d‑Glcp. However, APS4 showed higher content of (1→2,6)‑α‑d‑Glcp compared to APS4-90 and APS90, which indicated that higher branched degree would be responsible for the stronger in vitro antitumor activity in APS4. These results were also confirmed by specific rotation and SEM analysis. Our study suggested that APS4 had the potential application for cancer treatment.

Size-dependent pharmacological activities of differently degraded fucoidan fractions from Fucus vesiculosus

Fucose-containing sulfated glycans (syn. fucoidans) from brown algae exhibit a wide range of bioactivities and are therefore considered promising candidates for health-supporting and medical applications. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological activities of fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus and 18 gradually depolymerized fractions, which were obtained by hydrothermal and H2O2 treatment, respectively. All the activities decreased with decreasing molecular mass (Mw) but to a different extent resulting in some modified pharmacological profiles in dependence on the Mw as well as on the degradation method. H2O2 treatment was not only more efficient, simpler and cheaper than hydrothermal degradation, but also led to superior activity profiles and additionally eliminated co-extracted contaminants. Compared to heparin, the prime example of biologically active sulfated glycans, evenly sized H2O2 fractions exhibited considerable effects being relevant for anti-inflammatory activity, however only negligible anticoagulant activity and FXII activating potency. Due to their improved biopharmaceutical characteristics and favorable activities, degraded fucoidan fractions are worth to be further investigated as anti-inflammatory and anticomplementary agents.

Isolation and chemical characteristics of rhamnose enriched polysaccharide from Grateloupia lithophila

The crude polysaccharide was extracted from Grateloupia lithophila through hot-water extraction and deproteinization. Further, fractionated by anion-exchange column using Q-Sepharose and purified by gel-permeation chromatography using Sepharose 4-LB column. The crude and purified polysaccharide contains high carbohydrate (75.7 and 89.7%), ash (18.2 and 3.2%) and moisture (14.8 and 1.3%); the protein and uronic acid were absent. The molecular weight of crude, fractionated and purified polysaccharide was found to be 37 kDa, 29 kDa and 24 kDa. The monosaccharide composition of the crude polysaccharide was found to be having rhamnose (79.82%), fructose (8.38%), galactose (3.95%), xylose (3.31%) and glucose (1.48%); whereas the purified polysaccharide reported higher amount of rhamnose (95.88%), 1.13% of xylose and 2.21% of fructose. The structural elucidation of the purified polysaccharide was conformed as α-l-rhamnose through polarimetry, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

Rice bran constituents: immunomodulatory and therapeutic activities

Rice bran, one of the most abundant and valuable byproducts produced during the rice milling process, is of steadily growing interest in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Evidence is rapidly accumulating for the beneficial effects of nutraceuticals. However, the potential benefits of rice bran are found in several of its bioactive ingredients including oils, polysaccharides, proteins, and micronutrients. In addition, a significant advantage of rice bran is that it contains more than 100 antioxidants and several categories of bioactive phytonutrients, such as polyphenols, phytosterols, tocotrienols, γ-oryzanol, B vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals. As an immunomodulator, rice bran has beneficial constituents such as polysaccharides, proteins, and oils. Numerous studies also reported that potent antioxidants in rice bran included immune system enhancing compounds, such as phytosterols, polysaccharides, minerals and trace minerals including magnesium, selenium, zinc, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and several other phytonutrients. We believe that this review will be a valuable resource for more studies on rice barn as a dietary source.

Interference with the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis as potential antitumor strategy: superiority of a sulfated galactofucan from the brown alga Saccharina latissima and fucoidan over heparins

The present study demonstrates that fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSP) from brown algae interfere with the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in human Burkitt's lymphoma cells by binding CXCL12 and thereby blocking both CXCL12-induced CXCR4 receptor activation and downstream effects like migration and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9. This mode of action is currently considered as promising strategy for tumor therapy and may contribute to the known in vivo antitumor, antimetastatic and antiangiogenic activity of FCSP. In terms of the inhibition of the CXCR4 activation, FCSP from Saccharina latissima (S.l.-FCSP) proved to be more active than a commercial "Fucoidan" from Fucus vesiculosus, and both FCSP were superior to heparins by more than one order of magnitude. Fractionation of S.l.-FCSP revealed that its main fraction is composed of a homogeneous, higher sulfated galactofucan (S.l.-SGF) which consistently exhibited stronger activities and can therefore be considered as the active ingredient of S.l.-FCSP. By subjecting Fucoidan to the same fractionation procedure, the inhibitory activity of the obtained purified Fucoidan on the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis tended to be weaker and its antioxidant and antiproliferative effects were lost. This was probably due to the separation of contaminants including phenolic compounds, whose content additionally showed marked batch-to-batch variability. Regarding the need of standardized, well-characterized FCSP preparations for any potential medical application, our results indicate that S.l.-SGF is a promising candidate for further investigations and that S. latissima may be a more appropriate source of FCSP than F. vesiculosus or other algae species with high contents of co-extractable compounds.

Sulfated galactofucan from the brown alga Saccharina latissima--variability of yield, structural composition and bioactivity

The fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (SP) from brown algae exhibit a wide range of bioactivities and are, therefore, considered promising candidates for health-supporting and medicinal applications. A critical issue is their availability in high, reproducible quality. The aim of the present study was to fractionate and characterize the SP extracted from Saccharina latissima (S.l.-SP) harvested from two marine habitats, the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, in May, June and September. The fractionation of crude S.l.-SP by anion exchange chromatography including analytical investigations revealed that S.l.-SP is composed of a homogeneous fraction of sulfated galactofucan (SGF) and a mixture of low-sulfated, uronic acid and protein containing heteropolysaccharides. Furthermore, the results indicated that S.l. growing at an intertidal zone with high salinity harvested at the end of the growing period delivered the highest yield of S.l.-SP with SGF as the main fraction (67%). Its SGF had the highest degree of sulfation (0.81), fucose content (86.1%) and fucose/galactose ratio (7.8) and was most active (e.g., elastase inhibition: IC50 0.21 μg/mL). Thus, S.l. from the North Atlantic harvested in autumn proved to be more appropriate for the isolation of S.l.-SP than S.l. from the Baltic Sea and S.l. harvested in spring, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that habitat and harvest time of brown algae should be considered as factors influencing the yield as well as the composition and thus also the bioactivity of their SP.

Significance of algal polymer in designing amphotericin B nanoparticles

Development of oral amphotericin B (AmB) loaded nanoparticles (NPs) demands a novel technique which reduces its toxicity and other associated problems. Packing of AmB in between two oppositely charged ions by polyelectrolyte complexation technique proved to be a successful strategy. We have developed a novel carrier system in form of polyelectrolyte complex of AmB by using chitosan (CS) and porphyran (POR) as two oppositely charged polymers with TPP as a crosslinking agent. Initially POR was isolated from Porphyra vietnamensis followed by the fact that its alkali induced safe reduction in molecular weight was achieved. Formulation was optimized using three-factor three-level (3³) central composite design. High concentration of POR in NPs was confirmed by sulfated polysaccharide (SP) assay. Degradation and dissolution studies suggested the stability of NPs over wide pH range. Hemolytic toxicity data suggested the safety of prepared formulation. In vivo and in vitro antifungal activity demonstrated the high antifungal potential of optimized formulation when compared with standard drug and marketed formulations. Throughout the study TPP addition did not cause any significant changes. Therefore, these experimental oral NPs may represent an interesting carrier system for the delivery of AmB.

Simple and rapid quality control of sulfated glycans by a fluorescence sensor assay--exemplarily developed for the sulfated polysaccharides from red algae Delesseria sanguinea

Sulfated polysaccharides (SP) from algae are of great interest due to their manifold biological activities. Obstacles to commercial (especially medical) application include considerable variability and complex chemical composition making the analysis and the quality control challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate a simple microplate assay for screening the quality of SP. It is based on the fluorescence intensity (FI) increase of the sensor molecule Polymer-H by SP and was originally developed for direct quantification of SP. Exemplarily, 65 SP batches isolated from the red alga Delesseria sanguinea (D.s.-SP) and several other algae polysaccharides were investigated. Their FI increase in the Polymer-H assay was compared with other analytical parameters. By testing just one concentration of a D.s.-SP sample, quality deviations from the reference D.s.-SP and thus both batch-to-batch variability and stability can be detected. Further, structurally distinct SP showed to differ in their concentration-dependent FI profiles. By using corresponding reference compounds, the Polymer-H assay is therefore applicable as identification assay with high negative predictability. In conclusion, the Polymer-H assay showed to represent not only a simple method for quantification, but also for characterization identification and differentiation of SP of marine origin.

Testing of potential glycan-based heparanase inhibitors in a fluorescence activity assay using either bacterial heparinase II or human heparanase

Heparanase, an endo-β-glucuronidase cleaving heparan sulfate (HS) chains at cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix (ECM), is involved in angiogenesis, tumor progression and metastasis as well as in inflammation and kidney dysfunction. Therefore, heparanase is considered a promising therapeutic target and diagnostic marker. Recently, we have developed a simple, rapid, fully automatable fluorimetric activity assay using the synthetic sulfated pentasaccharide fondaparinux as substrate and bacterial heparinase II (HEP-II) instead of human heparanase (hHEP). The aim of this study was to evaluate this assay for inhibitor testing as well as to check whether the assay principle is applicable to measure the activity and inhibition, respectively, of the actual target enzyme hHEP. Besides the known hHEP inhibitor suramin and the antiinflammatory and antimetastatic PS3, two series of β-1,3-glucan sulfates differing in their chain length and degree of sulfation, further semisynthetic sulfated glycans, and two sulfated polysaccharides isolated from algae were included to examine structure-activity relationships. The inhibitory activity of sulfated glycans showed to be greatly dependent on both their degree of sulfation and their basic glycan structure, but independent of their molecular size. The β-1,3-glucan sulfates were superior to suramin as well as to the other glycans with similar degree of sulfations. The most active inhibitor was found to be the β-1,3-glucan sulfate PS3 (IC₅₀=0.017 μM). By using hHEP instead of HEP-II comparable results were obtained. With an IC₅₀ being about 160 times lower than that of suramin, PS3 exhibited again the strongest inhibitory effects. Inhibition of hHEP may therefore contribute to the potent antiinflammatory and antimetastatic activities of PS3 in vivo. In conclusion, the fluorimetric hHEP activity assay proved to be a simple, fully automatable tool for testing potential inhibitors. In case of HS mimetic inhibitors, the assay variant with HEP-II may provide a fast and inexpensive option for initial screening purposes.

Nuclear localization of matrix metalloproteinases

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were originally identified as matrixin proteases that act in the extracellular matrix. Recent works have uncovered nontraditional roles for MMPs in the extracellular space as well as in the cytosol and nucleus. There is strong evidence that subspecialized and compartmentalized matrixins participate in many physiological and pathological cellular processes, in which they can act as both degradative and regulatory proteases. In this review, we discuss the transcriptional and translational control of matrixin expression, their regulation of intracellular sorting, and the structural basis of activation and inhibition. In particular, we highlight the emerging roles of various matrixin forms in diseases. The activity of matrix metalloproteinases is regulated at several levels, including enzyme activation, inhibition, complex formation and compartmentalization. Most MMPs are secreted and have their function in the extracellular environment. MMPs are also found inside cells, both in the nucleus, cytosol and organelles. The role of intracellular located MMPs is still poorly understood, although recent studies have unraveled some of their functions. The localization, activation and activity of MMPs are regulated by their interactions with other proteins, proteoglycan core proteins and / or their glycosaminoglycan chains, as well as other molecules. Complexes formed between MMPs and various molecules may also include interactions with noncatalytic sites. Such exosites are regions involved in substrate processing, localized outside the active site, and are potential binding sites of specific MMP inhibitors. Knowledge about regulation of MMP activity is essential for understanding various physiological processes and pathogenesis of diseases, as well as for the development of new MMP targeting drugs.

Polysaccharides of the red algae

Red algae (Rhodophyta) are known as the source of unique sulfated galactans, such as agar, agarose, and carrageenans. The wide practical uses of these polysaccharides are based on their ability to form strong gels in aqueous solutions. Gelling polysaccharides usually have molecules built up of repeating disaccharide units with a regular distribution of sulfate groups, but most of the red algal species contain more complex galactans devoid of gelling ability because of various deviations from the regular structure. Moreover, several red algae may contain sulfated mannans or neutral xylans instead of sulfated galactans as the main structural polysaccharides. This chapter is devoted to a description of the structural diversity of polysaccharides found in the red algae, with special emphasis on the methods of structural analysis of sulfated galactans. In addition to the structural information, some data on the possible use of red algal polysaccharides as biologically active polymers or as taxonomic markers are briefly discussed.

A report of a galactan from marine alga Gelidium crinale with in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects

The sulfated galactan of the red marine alga Gelidium crinale (SG-Gc) was purified by ion exchange chromatography and tested by intravenous (i.v.) route in rodent experimental models of inflammation and nociception. The anti-inflammatory activity of SG-Gc (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) was evaluated in the model of rat paw edema induced by different inflammatory stimuli, while SG-Gc (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) antinociceptive effect was assessed in models of nociception/hyperalgesia elicited by chemical (formalin test), thermal (hot plate), and mechanical (von Frey) stimuli in mice. In addition, the toxicity was evaluated after rat treatment with SG-Gc (1 mg/kg; i.v.) during 10 days, followed by analysis of the wet weight of animal's body/organs and hematological/biochemical parameters. Sulfated galactan of G. crinale inhibited the time course of dextran-induced paw edema, at all doses, showing maximal effect at 1 mg/kg (42%) and that induced by carrageenan at 0.01 (18%) and 1 mg/kg (20%), but was ineffective on the edema elicited by zymosan. At the highest dose, SG-Gc also inhibited the paw edema induced by histamine (49%), compound 48/80 (32%), and phospholipase A(2) (44%). Sulfated galactan of G. crinale inhibited both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin test, at all doses, and at 10 mg/kg, the animals flinch reaction in the von Frey test in the 1st and 3rd h by 19 and 26%, respectively. Additionally, SG-Gc treatment was well tolerated by animals. In conclusion, SG-Gc presents anti-inflammatory effect involving the inhibition of histamine and arachidonic acid metabolites and also antinociceptive activity, especially the inflammatory pain with participation of the opioid system.

Chemical structures and bioactivities of sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae

Sulfated polysaccharides and their lower molecular weight oligosaccharide derivatives from marine macroalgae have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. The present paper will review the recent progress in research on the structural chemistry and the bioactivities of these marine algal biomaterials. In particular, it will provide an update on the structural chemistry of the major sulfated polysaccharides synthesized by seaweeds including the galactans (e.g., agarans and carrageenans), ulvans, and fucans. It will then review the recent findings on the anticoagulant/antithrombotic, antiviral, immuno-inflammatory, antilipidemic and antioxidant activities of sulfated polysaccharides and their potential for therapeutic application.

Optimized and standardized isolation and structural characterization of anti-inflammatory sulfated polysaccharides from the red alga Delesseria sanguinea (Hudson) Lamouroux (Ceramiales, Delesseriaceae)

The red seaweed Delesseria sanguinea dominantly populates a large artificial reef in the southwestern Baltic Sea. It contains sulfated polysaccharides (SPs), which exhibit a pharmacological profile indicating anti-inflammatory and anti-skin aging potencies. To establish and optimize an extraction procedure for these SPs and to evaluate the influence of several parameters on their quality, 23 algae batches were harvested over the period of four years and extracted by different methods, resulting in 56 SP batches. Extraction with water at 85 degrees C proved to be superior and led to highly reproducible products with average yields of 11.6 +/- 3.9%, reaching 18% in spring. Their quality was independent of generation form and vitality of the algae. The SPs were identified as sulfated branched xylogalactans (degree of sulfation 0.50 +/- 0.08, mean M(r) 142000). The coextraction of floridean starch turned out to be the only parameter causing any seasonal variability. However, by using water, this concerns solely the yields of the isolated products. Compared to NaOH extracts, the antielastase activity of H(2)O extracted SPs was about twice as strong (IC(50) 0.204 +/- 0.024 microg/mL) and the batch to batch variability was much lower (CV 11.8 vs 28.6%). In conclusion, SPs from Delesseria sanguinea can be isolated in reproducibly high quality by using a specific extraction procedure. Thus, an important prerequisite for a potential economical utilization is fulfilled.

Proteoglycans on bone tumor development

Proteoglycans, extracellular matrix components, exert several activities on bone cells and seem crucial for maintaining an appropriate number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The overall data strengthen a pro-bone resorptive role for proteoglycans, through the control of osteoprotegerin availability and of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand bioactivity. In parallel, proteoglycans participate in the control of tumor development at different levels, including bone tumor development and bone metastases dissemination. This dual role makes them good candidates as regulatory molecules in the vicious cycle between tumor proliferation and bone resorption observed during tumor development in bone site. Knowledge of the biological roles of these molecules in cancer biology, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis has promoted the development of drugs targeting them.