Seaweed polysaccharides: Sources, structure and biomedical applications with special emphasis on antiviral potentials

Seaweeds are incredibly significant marine resources that have the ability to yield beneficial metabolites and bioactive substances, exhibiting an extensive variety of biological and physiological capabilities. Seaweed polysaccharides, in conjunction with other bioactive components, have been shown to exhibit a diverse range of advantageous characteristics. These include antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticarcinogenic effects. The assortment and constitution of polysaccharides found in seaweed are crucial factors in regulating these biological processes. Agar, alginate, carrageenan, fucoidan, and ulvan are abundant in seaweeds, boosting their bioactivity. Tissue engineering, drug administration, and wound healing are among the medical applications of seaweed polysaccharides. Algae-derived polysaccharides have exhibited extraordinary antiviral properties, which makes them highly promising subjects for pharmacological research. Moreover, numerous mechanisms have been recorded for these polysaccharides, encompassing the prevention of viral coupling or entry of the cell host, along with the inhibition of DNA replication and protein synthesis. Seaweed polysaccharides also have the potential to serve as a long-term solution against the highly publicized coronavirus, which has caused a global pandemic. This review aims to analyze a variety of seaweed-derived polysaccharides, explore the association between their bioactivity and structural compositions, and highlight their potential biological applications, particularly in relation to antiviral activity.