Characterization and Wound-Healing Effects of Fucoidan from Sargassum polycystum Collected in South Sulawesi in a Staphylococcus aureus-Infected Rat Model.

The skin, the body's largest organ, acts as the primary barrier against infections, but this function can be compromised by wounds. While antibiotics are commonly used for treating skin infections, their misuse has led to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, emphasizing the need for safer alternatives. Fucoidan has shown antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its biological activity can vary due to differences in species and geographical origin. In this study, fucoidan was isolated from Sargassum polycystum collected in the intertidal zone of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and its wound-healing potential was tested in Staphylococcus aureus-infected rats. Fucoidan was extracted using hot ethanol-water extraction and CaCl₂-ethanol precipitation, and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. Toxicity was assessed with a hemolysis assay, and wound healing was evaluated in rats with 6 mm excision wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus (0.1 mL, 10⁷ CFU/mL). Results showed that fucoidan was non-toxic and that a 2.4% topical application significantly reduced bacterial load and accelerated healing within 9 days. Histological analysis revealed enhanced fibroblast proliferation, granulation tissue formation, re-epithelialization, and thicker collagen deposition compared to the control group (Vaseline only) (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that fucoidan from Sargassum polycystum is safe and effective in promoting wound healing, supporting its potential as an alternative therapy for infected wounds and providing a validated molecular candidate for future sustainable marine synthetic biology applications.