Carrageenans, a family of polysulphated carbohydrates, inhibited binding of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). iota-Carrageenan was the most potent bFGF antagonist (IC50 = 0.4 +/- 0.1 microgram/ml), kappa-carrageenan was the most potent PDGF antagonist (IC50 = 1.7 +/- 1.3 micrograms/ml) and lambda-carrageenan was the most potent TGF beta 1 antagonist (IC50 = 19 +/- 2 micrograms/ml). None of the carrageenans, at concentrations up to 200 micrograms/ml, inhibited binding of insulin-like growth factor 1 or transforming growth factor alpha. Carrageenans are selective growth-factor antagonists and have potential for the treatment of disorders associated with the over-production of certain growth factors.