Immunomodulatory Activity of Natural Polysaccharides in Combating Covid -19, Cancer, Inflammatory Disorders: A Review

Pharmaceutical Science-Pharmaceutical analysis for Novel drug formulation

Abstract

Natural polysaccharides  are a source of carbohydrates  with potent biological functions that can be explored for increasing its utilization in the field of food and medicine. If characterized, studied and explored, they would have a vital contribution in the health care  policy  of  the  world,  and  more  particularly  in  numerous  developing  countries  in  the  next  decades.  There  are  thousands  of polysaccharides isolated from various natural sources which can affect the immune system by stimulating the immune response or by influencing the formation of antibodies. They consist of various monomer units such as β-glucan, mannan, arabinose, galacturonic acid, fucoidan,  laminarin,  carrageenan  etc. These polysaccharides  follow different  mechanisms  to show the desired biological  activity.  This review  presents a detailed account of the immunomodulatory  properties of polysaccharides  isolated from microorganisms,  plants and marine sources. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 which is caused by the SARS-COV-2provide  full description of SARS-COV-2  virus  has been  a serious  threat  to public  health  as there  are no clinically  significant  vaccines  yet produced  for its prevention.  Polysaccharide  with  good  immunomodulator  and antivirus  activity  have  potent  anti-coronavirus  applications.  This  study focuses on the advancements  in the inhibition of SARS-COV-2  virus responsible for COVID-19. It also gives a detailed account of the anti-cancer activity of various natural polysaccharides  and anti-inflammatory  effects. The established therapy strategy for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disorders involves the use of various chemotherapeutic agents and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs respectively,  which have prominent  side effects. Polysaccharides  obtained  from natural sources have gained attention  owing to their safety and less side effects. The mechanism of action of  the polysaccharides showing immunomodulatory activity owing to treatment of COVID-19,  cancer  and inflammatory  disorders  has been discussed  in the review.  Most polysaccharides  are   tested using preclinical animal models or by clinical trials. This review will provide guidelines for the development of new formulations for utilising the various biological activity of the natural polysaccharides.