A method for inhibiting the release of one or more of IL-8, PGE2 and VEGF by a cell activated during an inflammatory process, said method comprising administering to said cell an anti-inflammatory polysaccharide composition comprising fucans and galactans to a cell, wherein the ratio of fucans to galactans in said composition enables a reduction in the cytotoxicity of said galactans and an anti-inflammatory composition comprising a ratio of brown algae fucans/red algae galactans of ranging from about 2.5/1 (w/w) to about 40/1 (w/w), the galactans having a molecular weight higher than about 100 kDa, and the fucans having a molecular weight ranging from about 0.1 kDa and 100 kDa.
