Recent Advance in Marine Polysaccharides: Structure, Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms, and Functional Applications

Inflammation is pivotal to the pathogenesis of chronic disorders, including diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Conventional pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of inflammation and related diseases face several challenges. In recent years, polysaccharides isolated from marine organisms have attracted extensive research attention due to their good safety profile, easy availability, and powerful anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is still a lack of systematic elucidation of their anti-inflammatory mechanisms and functional effects. In this review, the sources and structural characteristics of marine polysaccharides were reviewed. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of marine polysaccharides and their advanced applications were discussed. Finally, the current challenges of marine polysaccharides in anti-inflammatory research and food industry applications, as well as future research directions, were proposed. This review deepens the understanding of the anti-inflammatory effects of marine polysaccharides and provides feasible guidance for the development and clinical application of novel anti-inflammatory drugs.