El-Sheekh, M., Fathy, A., Saber, H., Saber, A. (2023). Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Applications of Seaweeds. Egyptian Journal of Botany, 63(1), 1-29. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2022.145631.2022
Mostafa El-Sheekh; Alaa A. Fathy; Hani Saber; Abdullah A. Saber. "Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Applications of Seaweeds". Egyptian Journal of Botany, 63, 1, 2023, 1-29. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2022.145631.2022
El-Sheekh, M., Fathy, A., Saber, H., Saber, A. (2023). 'Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Applications of Seaweeds', Egyptian Journal of Botany, 63(1), pp. 1-29. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2022.145631.2022
El-Sheekh, M., Fathy, A., Saber, H., Saber, A. Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Applications of Seaweeds. Egyptian Journal of Botany, 2023; 63(1): 1-29. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2022.145631.2022
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Applications of Seaweeds
1Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
2Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
3Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Arts, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
4Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
55Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
Abstract
SEAWEEDS are an indispensable natural source of bioactive metabolites characterized by multifunctional biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. For instance, seaweed-derived polyphenolics are potentially distinguished by their pivotal antioxidant effects in the treatment and/or prevention of several diseases. Moreover, pigments, fatty acids, terpenes, and terpenoids have been characterized by their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiobesity properties, besides their highly effective hepatoprotective activities. Several seaweed-extracted polysaccharides, such as alginates, ulvans, and carrageenans, have been reported to exert various medicinal effects such as immunoinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, and anticoagulant activities. Furthermore, seaweed-derived minerals have been widely utilized as food supplements and cosmeceuticals. This review discusses and emphasizes the biomedical and pharmaceutical applications of seaweeds and the future perspectives for their large-scale applications to develop novel, safe, and high-valued pharmaceutical constituents.