Algal Polysaccharides as Promising Anticancer Agents

Abstract

There is a growing demand for the development of new anticancer drugs owing to the worldwide increase in cancer mortality. Algal polysaccharides, such as fucoidan, alginate, laminarin, carrageenan, porphyran, ulvan and calcium spirulan, have been recognized as natural products with potential good anticancer properties against a variety of cancer cell lines <i>in vitro </i>and <i>in vivo</i>. Therefore, they can be used for the development of natural anticancer drugs with fewer side effects than synthetic ones. Additionally, algal polysaccharides can be used as an adjuvant treatment to mitigate undesirable side effects and promote the anticancer properties of clinical anticancer drugs. This chapter focuses on the recent anticancer properties of algal polysaccharides from different algal groups as well as their mode of action.