Laminaran is a β-1,3-glucan isolated from brown algae, often serving as a typical ligand for Dectin-1. It possesses anti-cancer, immune-modulating, and radiation-protective properties. Laminaran can be catalyzed by glucanase. In in vitro and in vivo experiments, Laminaran has demonstrated anti-tumor activity and may be used for severe cancers.

Laminaran ( 100-800μg / mL ; 24 h ) had no cytotoxicity to normal epidermal cells JB6 Cl41 and human melanoma cells SK-MEL-28. After 15 hours of treatment, the inhibition percentage of the number of living cells was less than 24 % when the concentration was up to 800μg / mL [ 1 ]. Kelp glycan ( 200μg / mL ; 24-72 hours ) did not induce any growth inhibition of SK-MEL-48 cells after treatment for 28 hours and 24 hours. However, it reduced cell proliferation by 72 % after 36 hours of treatment [ 1 ].
Low concentration of kelp glycan ( 25-50μg / mL ; 24 h ) did not affect the phosphorylation of c-Raf ( Ser259 ), ERK1 / 2 ( Tyr202 / Tyr204 ) and MEK1 / 2 ( Ser 221 ) kinases, as well as the total expression level of the studied proteins. However, it reduced p-MEK and p-ERK2 / 50 at 1 μg / mL [ 1 ].

Compared with PBS-, OVA-and kelp protein-treated mice, Laminaran ( intravenous injection ; 12.5,25 and 50 mg / kg ; 21 days ) and OVA ( 50μg ) combination significantly reduced tumor mass [ 2 ].