Biomedical and Pharmacological significance of marine macro algae-review

摘要

Seaweeds are a group of non-flowering marine plants commonly referred to as marine macroalgae. Taxonomically, they are classified into Rhodophyta (red algae), Phaeophyta (brown algae) and Chlorophyta (green algae) depending on their pigments and/or chemical composition. Seaweeds contain various inorganic and organic substances which can benefit mankind. Various compounds with biological activities have been isolated and they possess pharmacological activities such as Antibiotic, Anticoagulant, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Antitumoral, Anticomplementary, Antiinflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, Antihelminthic, Antiprotozoan, Antipeptic, Hypolipidemic, Antiadhesive and Antifouling activities. The present paper reviews the biomedical and pharmacological properties of seaweeds.