Extraction, Isolation, Characterization, and Biological Activity of Sulfated Polysaccharides Present in Ascidian Viscera Microcosmus Exasperatus

The study investigates the sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from the ascidian Microcosmus exasperatus, focusing on their composition, structure, and biological activity. The research identifies three distinct polysaccharides, including dermatan sulfate and fucosylated dermatan sulfate, with significant antitumoral properties. These GAGs, extracted and purified from M. exasperatus viscera, show potential as alternative bioactive compounds for cancer treatment. The total polysaccharides (TP) demonstrated the ability to decrease tumor cell growth, proliferation, and migration in vitro without exhibiting anticoagulant activity. The findings suggest that M. exasperatus GAGs could be developed for preclinical studies as antitumoral agents to enhance current cancer therapies.