How It Works
Bottom Line: Fucoidan has not been shown to treat cancer in humans.
Fucoidan is a complex polysaccharide found in Brown seaweed. It can slow down blood clotting. Laboratory studies suggest that it can prevent growth of cancer cells. But there is no human data. Fucoidan may increase the side effects of other 'blood thinning' drugs.
Purported Uses
Immunostimulation
Although in vitro data suggests a role for fucoidan in boosting host defense mechanisms, human data is lacking
Allergies
There is no clinical data to support this use
Lower blood pressure
This use is not supported by clinical trials
Decrease cholesterol
There is no data to substantiate this claim
Inhibit blood clotting
Laboratory studies suggest that Fucoidan has anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects
Inflammation
There is no data to support this use
Antibacterial
There is no clinical data to evaluate this use
Antiviral
No studies have been conducted to investigate this use
Research Evidence
Laboratory studies are ongoing to determine the antitumor effects of fucoidan. However, there is no data from clinical trials.
Do Not Take If
Theoretically, Fucoidan may have additive effects with anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin.
Side Effects
No adverse reactions have been reported from use of Fucoidan.
Common Name
Sulfated alpha-L-fucan
Clinical Summary
Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide found in the cell walls of many species of Brown seaweed. It has anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities. Preliminary data show that fucoidan has antitumor and antiangiogenic effects in vitro
(2) (3) (4) (5). These effects are brought about by stimulating natural killer cells and down regulating AP-I involved in cellular proliferation. But there is no data from clinical trials to verify such effects in humans. Although no adverse effects have been reported, fucoidan may have additive effects with other anticoagulants.
Food Sources
Several species of Brown seaweed
Purported uses
- Allergies
- Bacterial Infections
- Hypertension
- Immunostimulation
- Inflammation
- Viral infections
Constituents
Alpha (1, 2) or Alpha (1, 3) 4-O-sulfated-L-fucose
Galactose
Xylose
Glucoronic acid
(1)
Mechanism of Action
Fucoidan has been shown to inhibit metastasis by preventing adhesion of tumor cells to the extracellular matrix. This is achieved by blocking the fibronectin cell-binding domain, necessary for formation of adhesion complexes
(4). Fucoidan was also shown to induce apoptosis of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) that causes Adult T-cell leukemia. It does so by inactivating NF-kB that regulates antiapoptotic proteins. It suppresses AP-I, a transcription factor involved in cellular proliferation and transformation
(3). An vitro study showed that Fucoidan can suppress angiogenesis induced by Sarcoma 180 cells in mice
(5). Fucoidan has immunomodulating effects and enhanced the activity of NK cells, which play a crucial role in mediating tumor cell death
(2).
Contraindications
Theoretically, Fucoidan may have additive effects with anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin.
Adverse Reactions
No adverse reactions have been reported from use of Fucoidan.
Literature Summary and Critique
No data is available from clinical trials.
References
- Giraux JL, Matou S, Bros A, Tapon-Bretaudiere J, Letourneur D, Fischer AM. Modulation of human endothelial cell proliferation and migration by fucoidan and heparin. Eur J Cell Biol 1998; 77(4):352-359.
- Maruyama H, Tamauchi H, Hashimoto M, Nakano T. Antitumor activity and immune response of Mekabu fucoidan extracted from Sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida. In Vivo 2003; 17(3):245-249.
- Haneji K, Matsuda T, Tomita M et al. Fucoidan extracted from cladosiphon okamuranus tokida induces apoptosis of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-infected T-cell lines and primary adult T-cell leukemia cells. Nutr Cancer 2005; 52(2):189-201.
- Liu JM, Bignon J, Haroun-Bouhedja F et al. Inhibitory effect of fucoidan on the adhesion of adenocarcinoma cells to fibronectin. Anticancer Res 2005; 25(3B):2129-2133.
- Koyanagi S, Tanigawa N, Nakagawa H, Soeda S, Shimeno H. Oversulfation of fucoidan enhances its anti-angiogenic and antitumor activities. Biochem Pharmacol 2003; 65(2):173-179.
