A comprehensive review of preparation and pharmacology of low molecular weight fucoidan.

Fucoidan is a type of sulfated fucans originated from many marine animals and algae, its unique molecular characteristics rich in L-fucose and sulfate ester group give it a wide range of biological properties. The natural polysaccharide has been used as a clinical drug for kidney disease for many years. However, high molecular weight associated defects, low water solubility and high viscosity, reduce its bioavailability. Consequently, low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) with better physicochemical properties originally has been widely studied its biological properties and once regarded as a substitute of heparin for its anticoagulant activity. Presently, large number of researches reported its various bioactivities, including anti-coagulation, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, etc., but the LMWFs prepared by different methods from various species possess distinct molecular characteristics, which results in discrepant biological activities and the underlying mechanisms. Based on the research progress of LMWF, this review article comprehensively overviewed the preparation methods, toxicity, and pharmacology, which highlights LMWF as a valuable marine active substance for developing marine functional foods and drugs.