Isolation, fractionation and anticoagulant activity of a sulfated galactan extracted from the green algae Penicillus capitatus

Marine algae are natural sources of macromolecules known as sulfated polysaccharides. This class of compounds has attracted the interest of Pharmaceutical Sciences due to its pharmacological anticoagulant, antiplatelet and anti thrombotic properties. Therefore, this study evaluated the anticoagulant potential of' sulfated polysaccharides extracted from the algae Penicillus capitatus. The extracted sulfated polysaccharides were purified, partially characterized and their anticoagulant activity was evaluated. The extraction process followed by ethanol precipitation resulted in five fractions. Among the analyzed fractions. F44 contained highest concentration of sulfated polysaccharides. After the purified fraction F23, F44 displayed in vitro anticoagulant activity in a time testing for activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. The preferential mechanism effect was based on interactions between thrombin and factor Xa. Additional studies on structure pharmacological are required to test the viability of . the use of sulfated polysaccharides as therapeutic agents.