Fucoidan and fucoxanthin as therapeutic agents in age-related macular

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, with increasing incidence and prevalence.Currently, no effective treatment exists for early or atropic AMD forms. The complex interplay of metabolic, genetic.environnmental, and functional factors drives AMD progression, with oxidative stress plays a critical role in retinal degeneration. The complex interplay of metabolic, genetic, environmental, and functional factors drives AMD progression, with oxidative stress playing a critical role in retinal degeneration. Brown seaweed-derived bioactive compounds, notably fucoidan and fucoxanthin, exhibit promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic properties that could be harnessed for AMD prevention and therapy. However, their heterogeneity, limited bioavailability, and the challenges in translating in vitro findings into clinical application remain critical hurdles. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the biochemical properties, therapeutic potential, and formulation strategies for fucoidan and fucoxanthin in AMD management, emphasizing the need for further in vivo and clinical studies.