Fucoidan
What is Fucoidan?
Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide found in the cell walls of many species of Brown seaweed. In vitro studies show that fucoidan has antitumor, antiangiogenic, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects. These effects are brought about by stimulating natural killer cells …
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
This study using animal models provides evidence that fucoidan can stimulate immune responses.
This study We found significant immunostimulating activity, but the strength of these effects was different among individual samples. Conclusion: Fucoidans have strong immunostimulating potential, including inhibition of cancer, with isolated samples offering better activity than commercial mixtures.
This study concluded: Recent in vivo [human or animal] studies suggest fucoidan to be a potential preventive or therapeutic agent for controlling cancers… The anticancer effects of fucoidan in vivo may be due to the inhibition of tumorigenesis and metastasis. More importantly, fucoidan may act by promoting immune responses or antiangiogenesis in tumor tissues.
Fucoidan
Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Common Name
Sulfated alpha-L-fucan
Clinical Summary
Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide found in the cell walls of many species of Brown seaweed. In vitro studies show that fucoidan has antitumor, antiangiogenic, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects. These effects are brought about by stimulating natural killer cells …
Adverse effects
Diarrhea, which improved immediately after stopping fucoidan administration.
Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Updated 2024