This paper concerns the potential use of compounds, including lipid A, chitosan, and carrageenan, from marine sources as agents for treating endotoxemic complications from Gram-negative infections, such as sepsis and endotoxic shock. Lipid A, which can be isolated from various species of marine bacteria, is a potential antagonist of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide (LPSs)). Chitosan is a widespread marine polysaccharide that is derived from chitin, the major component of crustacean shells. The potential of chitosan as an LPS-binding and endotoxin-neutralizing agent is also examined in this paper, including a discussion on the generation of hydrophobic chitosan derivatives to increase the binding affinity of chitosan to LPS. In addition, the ability of carrageenan, which is the polysaccharide of red alga, to decrease the toxicity of LPS is discussed. We also review data obtained using animal models that demonstrate the potency of carrageenan and chitosan as antiendotoxin agents.

The possibility of using different types of carrageenans (CRG) as matrixes for incorporating of echinochrome A (Ech) was investigated. Ech interacts with carrageenans and is incorporated into the macromolecular structure of the polysaccharide. The inclusion of Ech in carrageenan matrices decreased its oxidative degradation and improved its solubility. The changing in the charge and morphology of CRGs during binding with Ech was observed. The rate of Ech release from CRG matrices depended on the structure of the used polysaccharide and the presence of specific ions. The gastroprotective effect of CRG/Ech complexes was investigated on the model of stomach ulcers induced by indomethacin in rats. Complexes of CRG/Ech exhibited significant gastroprotective activity that exceeded the activity of the reference drug Phosphalugel. The gastroprotective effect of the complexes can be associated with their protective layer on the surface of the mucous membrane of a stomach.

This paper presents a review focused on the study of the physicochemical properties of chitosans. The main attention is paid to the analysis of data on the conformation of the polymer...

The inhibitory effects of carrageenans (CRGs) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in a mouse model of endotoxemia and in complex therapy of patients with enteric infections of Salmonella etiology were studied. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) examination of LPS and its mixture with CRGs showed that the LPS morphology is significantly changed under the action of κ- and κ/β-CRGs. CRGs were able to increase the synthesis of anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) in vitro, and, at low concentrations, their activity in the mixture with LPS was higher. The protective effect of CRGs against Escherichia coli LPS was studied in vivo by monitoring the biochemical and pathomorphological parameters. The κ- and κ/β-CRGs and food supplement “Carrageenan-FE” increased the nonspecific resistance of mice to E. coli LPS at the expense of the inhibition of processes of thymus involution, adrenals hypertrophy, thyroid atrophy, hypercorticoidism, glycogenolysis, and lactate acidosis. The estimation of the therapeutic action of food supplement Carrageenan-FE in complex therapy of patients with enteric infections of Salmonella etiology is given. Carrageenan-FE restores the system of hemostasis and corrects some biochemical indicators and parameters in the immune systems of patients. These results allow us to hope for the practical application of CRGs for lowering the endotoxemia level in patients under the development of the infectious process caused by Gram-negative bacteria.