Toxicological evaluation of fucoidan, a polysaccharide isolated from Turbinaria conoides (J. agardh) Kutzing procured from mandapam coastal area, tamilnadu

Abstract

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide is a well known active principle of marine brown algae, extensively used in food supplement and in pharmaceutical industry. The present study is aimed at evaluation of toxicological profile of fucoidan, isolated from Turbinaria conoides (J.Agardh) Kutzing in both male and female Wistar albino rats. Fucoidan was isolated and studied for Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopic analysis to confirm the functional groups. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies were carried out by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 407. After treatment period all the animals were sacrificed to evaluate hematological and biochemical parameters. The weights of internal organs recorded and histopathological studies performed. Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopic analysis confirms the groups that are correlated with the standard. The animals did not show morbidity or mortality in acute toxicity study at single oral administration of fucoidan at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity, no statistically significant differences observed in body weight, relative organ weight, food and water intake when compared to control group. No treatment related abnormalities observed in hematological and biochemical parameters except increased levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose in both male and female rats. Histopathology revealed no toxic signs at organ level compared to control. From the obtained results, the study suggested that fucoidan can be developed into a novel therapeutic agent and considered as a traditional drug as it does not show any toxic effects.