Document Type : Special Issue (Review)
Authors
1
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
2
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
3
Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Arts, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
4
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
5
5Botany 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.
Keywords
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