Patent ID: 8426381

Claim:
A method for inhibiting the release of one or more of IL-8, PGE2 and VEGF by a cell activated during an inflammatory process, said method comprising administering to said cell an anti-inflammatory polysaccharide composition comprising brown algae fucans and red algae galactans, wherein the fucans and the galactans in said composition are present in a ratio ranging from about 2.5 fucans/1 galactan (w/w) to about 40 fucans/1 galactan (w/w); said galactans having: (i) an average molecular weight higher than about 100 kDa; (ii) a galactose content ranging from about 30 to about 40% of dry weight of the galactans; (iii) a sulfate content ranging from about 20 to about 35% of dry weight of the galactans; and (iv) an uronic acid content ranging from about 1 to about 5% of dry weight of the galactans; and said fucans having: (v) an average molecular weight ranging from about 5 kDa to about 100 kDa; (vi) a fucose content ranging from about 20 to about 35% of dry weight of the fucans; (vii) a sulfate content ranging from about 15 to about 25% of dry weight of the fucans; and (viii) an uronic acid content ranging from about 10 to about 29% of dry weight of the fucans, wherein the ratio of fucans to galactans in said composition enables a reduction in the cytotoxicity of said galactans.