Structure and biological activity of heparinoid.

Heparin is a biogenic anionic charged sulfated polysaccharide that has a range of desired activities including inhibition of tumor metastasis and inhibition of restenosis. However, its clinical use is limited to treating blood-clotting disorders. Anionic macromolecules called heparinoids have been investigated with the objective of developing heparin-like molecules with reduced anti-coagulant activity and selective anti-metastasis and anti-restenosis activity. This mini-review summarizes the synthesis and biological activity of the main synthetic heparinoids reported in the past three decades.