Pharmaceutical benefits of red seaweed (Rhodophyta): A narrative review

Résumé

Seaweeds are abundant in nature; their productivity is higher than those of terrestrial systems. They proliferate and are regenerative, edible, and environmentally friendly. Red algae are rich in active substances used as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-tumor activities. Thus, they are a valuable source of new medicinal and therapeutic agents. They can also be an asset in functional foods and diets.This narrative review highlights a new perspective on the potential pharmaceutical applications of the bioactive compounds extracted from red algae, which can be considered as a promising ingredient for use in food and medicine. The pharmaceutical industry could benefit from red seaweeds as a source of treatment for several diseases since their pharmaceutical benefits are much more interesting than the nutritional benefits alone.