Investigation of effects of fucoidan polysaccharides extracted from two species of Padina on the wound-healing process in the rat

Abstract

Seaweeds contains different types of polysaccharides with high abilities. The aim of this study was to determine the potentialof fucoidan polysaccharides for wound-healing properties. Fucoidans of two species ofPadina( P. tetrastromaticaandP. boergesenii ),collected from the Persian Gulf northern coastal area, were extracted and analyzed using high-performance anion-exchangechromatography. Purified fucoidans were used to prepare a 2% topical ointment. Under aseptic conditions, two identical paravertebralfull-thickness skin wounds (either by burn or excision) were made in 40 anesthetized male rats allocated into 4 groups. Either fucoidanointments or the vehicle (ointment base) were applied to rats wounds twice daily for 14 days. In addition to the examination of woundarea reduction (days 3, 7, 10, and 14) and histopathological assays (days 7 and 10), tissue specimens were taken to the laboratory.Fucoidans obtained from both seaweeds induced significant wound area reduction compared to the vehicle at some time points aftertreatment. Histopathological examinations showed improvement in some healing signs including angiogenesis, collagen fiber formation,and epidermis formation. In conclusion, both species ofPadinahave significant wound-healing effects and fucoidan polysaccharides arethe active constituents for this healing property. However, fucoidan obtained fromP. boergeseniishowed superior effects in this regard.