Sustainable bioactive heparin like polysaccharides from <i>Sepioteuthis lessoniana</i> gladius for next-generation biomedical applications

This study evaluated the bioactive potential of heparin like polysaccharides extracted from the gladius of <i>Sepioteuthis lessoniana</i> (big-fin reef squid), focusing on their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticoagulant activities. The extracted heparin-like polysaccharides were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine their structural properties. Antibacterial efficacy was tested using the disc diffusion method against selected bacterial pathogens, while antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, and ferrous ion chelation assays. Anticoagulant potential was evaluated using Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) measurements. The heparin-like polysaccharides exhibited strong antibacterial effects, with distinct inhibition zones against the tested strains. Antioxidant assays revealed significant radical scavenging and metal chelation activities, highlighting their oxidative stress mitigation potential. Moreover, the heparin-like polysaccharides prolonged PT and APTT, indicating interference with the coagulation cascade. Overall, heparin-like polysaccharides from <i>S. lessoniana</i> gladius demonstrate promising multifunctional bioactivities suitable for biomedical applications. However, further studies are recommended to elucidate their mechanisms of action, evaluate scalability for pharmaceutical development, and ensure long-term biocompatibility and clinical safety.