Submit to Pharmaceuticals Review for Pharmaceuticals Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 October 2022) | Viewed by 34827

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marianna Carbone

E-Mail
Guest Editor

National Research Council (CNR) - Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), Pozzuoli, Italy
Interests: marine natural compounds; marine ecology; drug discovery; organic chemistry; NMR
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Maria Letizia Ciavatta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

National Research Council (CNR) - Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), Pozzuoli, Italy
Interests: natural product chemistry; bioactivity; spectroscop
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine ecosystems harbour an important component of Earth's biodiversity, being unique to the marine realm, whereas only one phylum is exclusive to the terrestrial realm. The huge amount of species in the oceans reflects an extraordinary chemical diversity. Indeed, a vast chemical arsenal, including unique structures in most cases associated with distinctive biological activitites, have been developed by marine organisms and their symbionts to face important ecological pressures. Studies on natural products from the sea have highlighted the biomedical potential of marine metabolites, whose structures offer intriguing templates for the development of new drugs in a variety of human diseases. Marine bioprospecting continues to play a key role in the drug discovery process, and its potential is still far from being fully realized.

The Special Issue “Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products” seeks contributions concerning the discovery of new marine bioactive compounds, the identification of new bioactivities for known marine metabolites as well as the elucidation of their mechanism of action, and the design of marine derivatives with improved efficacy. Reviews and future perspectives on the chemical and biomedical aspects of marine natural products are also welcome.

Dr. Marianna Carbone
Dr. Maria Letizia Ciavatta
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

marine natural products
bioactivity
drug discovery
medicinal chemistry
synthesis
structure elucidation.

Published Papers (13 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 7471 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibladder Cancer Effects of Excavatolide C by Inducing Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and DNA Damage In Vitro

by Che-Wei Yang, Tsu-Ming Chien, Chia-Hung Yen, Wen-Jeng Wu, Jyh-Horng Sheu and Hsueh-Wei Chang

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(8), 917; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph15080917 - 24 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1807

Abstract

Excavatolide C (EXCC) is a bioactive compound derived from the gorgonian octocoral Briareum excavatum, and its anticancer effects are rarely addressed, particularly for bladder cancer. This investigation aimed to explore the potential impacts of EXCC on inhibiting the proliferation of three kinds of bladder cancer cells (5637, BFTC905, and T24). EXCC inhibits bladder cancer cell proliferation based on 48 h ATP assay. This antiproliferation function is validated to be oxidative stress dependent. Cellular and mitochondrial oxidative stresses were upregulated by EXCC, accompanied by depleting glutathione and mitochondrial membrane potential. These antiproliferation and oxidative stress events were suppressed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), indicating that EXCC has an oxidative stress-regulating function for antiproliferation of bladder cancer cells. Oxidative stress-related responses such as apoptosis, caspase activation, and DNA damage were upregulated by EXCC and reverted by NAC. Taken together, the antiproliferation function of EXCC provides a potential treatment against bladder cancer cells via oxidative stress modulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

22 pages, 22602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identifying Human PTP1B Enzyme Inhibitors from Marine Natural Products: Perspectives for Developing of Novel Insulin-Mimetic Drugs

by Marcello Casertano, Massimo Genovese, Lucia Piazza, Francesco Balestri, Antonella Del Corso, Alessio Vito, Paolo Paoli, Alice Santi, Concetta Imperatore and Marialuisa Menna

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(3), 325; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph15030325 - 08 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2338

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a complex and multifactorial disease that causes metabolic disorders with acute and long-term serious complications. The onset of DM, with over 90% of cases of diabetes classified as type 2, implies several metabolic dysfunctions leading to consider DM a worldwide health problem. In this frame, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and aldose reductase (AR) are two emerging targets involved in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its chronic complications. Herein, we employed a marine-derived dual type inhibitor of these enzymes, phosphoeleganin, as chemical starting point to perform a fragment-based process in search for new inhibitors. Phosphoeleganin was both disassembled by its oxidative cleavage and used as model structure for the synthesis of a small library of functionalized derivatives as rationally designed analogues. Pharmacological screening supported by in silico docking analysis outlined the mechanism of action against PTP1B exerted by a phosphorylated fragment and a synthetic simplified analogue, which represent the most potent inhibitors in the library. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 3549 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acanthaster planci Inhibits PCSK9 Gene Expression via Peroxisome Proliferator Response Element (PPRE) and Activation of MEK and PKC Signaling Pathways in Human Liver Cells

by Nurjannatul Naim Kamaruddin, Lukman Hakim Mohd Din, Allicia Jack, Aina Farahiyah Abdul Manan, Habsah Mohamad and Tengku Sifzizul Tengku Muhammad

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(3), 269; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph15030269 - 22 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1805

Abstract

A constantly elevated level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is mainly associated with the development of atherosclerosis. The use of statins as a treatment for reducing plasma LDL-C levels has led, in some cases, to adverse side effects, including a decrease in hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR), the receptor responsible for the uptake of circulating LDL-C. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an enzyme responsible for directing the LDLR–LDL-C complex to lysosomal degradation upon transport into cells, preventing the recycling of LDLR to the cell surface. Therefore, PCSK9 may offer a new target for reducing the levels of plasma LDL-C. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of action of a selected fraction of A. planci on PCSK9 gene expression, as well as the effect of the fraction on the level of LDLR protein and the uptake of LDL-C. Using real-time PCR, it was shown that the selected A. planci fraction reduced the gene expression of PCSK9 in human liver HepG2 cells. Immunocytochemistry analysis demonstrated that the selected A. planci fraction increased the LDLR protein level and LDL-C uptake in HepG2 cells. Promoter mutational and gene expression analyses revealed that PPRE, a binding site for peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR), was responsible for mediating the inhibitory effect of the selected fraction on PCSK9 mRNA. In addition, MAP kinase and PKC components of the signal transduction pathway were activated, inducing the action of the selected A. planci fraction in decreasing PCSK9 gene expression. These findings suggest that the selected fraction shows good potential for reducing circulating LDL-C and, thus, may be a good therapeutic intervention to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 3453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From the North Sea to Drug Repurposing, the Antiseizure Activity of Halimide and Plinabulin

by Daniëlle Copmans, Sara Kildgaard, Emma Roux, Michèle Partoens, Gert Steurs, Xinhui Wang, Wim M. De Borggraeve, Camila V. Esguerra, Alexander D. Crawford, Thomas O. Larsen and Peter A. M. de Witte

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(2), 247; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph15020247 - 18 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3354

Abstract

PharmaSea performed large-scale in vivo screening of marine natural product (MNP) extracts, using zebrafish embryos and larvae, to identify compounds with the potential to treat epilepsy. In this study, we report the discovery of two new antiseizure compounds, the 2,5-diketopiperazine halimide and its semi-synthetic analogue, plinabulin. Interestingly, these are both known microtubule destabilizing agents, and plinabulin could have the potential for drug repurposing, as it is already in clinical trials for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Both halimide and plinabulin were found to have antiseizure activity in the larval zebrafish pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure model via automated locomotor analysis and non-invasive local field potential recordings. The efficacy of plinabulin was further characterized in animal models of drug-resistant seizures, i.e., the larval zebrafish ethyl ketopentenoate (EKP) seizure model and the mouse 6 Hz psychomotor seizure model. Plinabulin was observed to be highly effective against EKP-induced seizures, on the behavioral and electrophysiological level, and showed activity in the mouse model. These data suggest that plinabulin could be of interest for the treatment of drug-resistant seizures. Finally, the investigation of two functional analogues, colchicine and indibulin, which were observed to be inactive against EKP-induced seizures, suggests that microtubule depolymerization does not underpin plinabulin’s antiseizure action. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

9 pages, 1226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Phenolic Polyketides from Two Marine-Derived Fungal Strains of Aspergillus unguis

by Cao Van Anh, Joo-Hee Kwon, Jong Soon Kang, Hwa-Sun Lee, Chang-Su Heo and Hee Jae Shin

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(1), 74; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph15010074 - 06 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2051

Abstract

A chemical investigation on the EtOAc extracts from two marine-derived fungal strains of Aspergillus unguis resulted in the isolation of three previously undescribed phenolic polyketides including unguidepside C (1), aspersidone B (3), and agonodepside C (12), and their 14 known congeners. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on detailed analysis and comparison of their spectroscopic data with literature values, as well as Snatzke’s method. The new compounds (1, 3, and 12) displayed a significant anti-Gram-positive bacterial activity, with MIC values ranging from 5.3 to 22.1 µM. Additionally, the isolated compounds (1–11 and 13–16) were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against a panel of tumor cell lines. Most of them (except for 9) displayed cytotoxicity against all the tested cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.5 to 46.9 µM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 4997 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioactive Diterpenes, Norditerpenes, and Sesquiterpenes from a Formosan Soft Coral Cespitularia sp.

by You-Cheng Lin, Chi-Chien Lin, Yi-Chia Chu, Chung-Wei Fu and Jyh-Horng Sheu

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(12), 1252; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14121252 - 01 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2244

Abstract

Chemical investigation of the soft coral Cespitularia sp. led to the discovery of twelve new verticillane-type diterpenes and norditerpenes: cespitulins H–O (1–8), one cyclic diterpenoidal amide cespitulactam L (9), norditerpenes cespitulin P (10), cespitulins Q and R (11 and 12), four new sesquiterpenes: cespilins A–C (13–15) and cespitulolide (16), along with twelve known metabolites. The structures of these metabolites were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR experiments. Anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds were studied by evaluating the suppression of pro-inflammatory protein tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) overproduction, and the inhibition of the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in lipopolysaccharide-induced dendritic cells. A number of these metabolites were found to exhibit promising anti-inflammatory activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 7409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydroquinone 5-O-Cinnamoyl Ester of Renieramycin M Suppresses Lung Cancer Stem Cells by Targeting Akt and Destabilizes c-Myc

by Nattamon Hongwiangchan, Nicharat Sriratanasak, Duangdao Wichadakul, Nithikoon Aksorn, Supakarn Chamni and Pithi Chanvorachote

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(11), 1112; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14111112 - 30 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2409

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are distinct cancer populations with tumorigenic and self-renewal abilities. CSCs are drivers of cancer initiation, progression, therapeutic failure, and disease recurrence. Thereby, novel compounds targeting CSCs offer a promising way to control cancer. In this study, the hydroquinone 5-O-cinnamoyl ester of renieramycin M (CIN-RM) was demonstrated to suppress lung cancer CSCs. CIN-RM was toxic to lung cancer cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of around 15 µM. CIN-RM suppressed CSCs by inhibiting colony and tumor spheroid formation. In addition, the CSC population was isolated and treated and the CSCs were dispatched in response to CIN-RM within 24 h. CIN-RM was shown to abolish cellular c-Myc, a central survival and stem cell regulatory protein, with the depletion of CSC markers and stem cell transcription factors ALDH1A1, Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2. For up-stream regulation, we found that CIN-RM significantly inhibited Akt and consequently decreased the pluripotent transcription factors. CIN-RM also inhibited mTOR, while slightly decreasing p-GSK3β (Ser9) but rarely affected the protein kinase C (PKC) signal. Inhibiting Akt/mTOR induced ubiquitination of c-Myc and promoted degradation. The mechanism of how Akt regulates the stability of c-Myc was validated with the Akt inhibitor wortmannin. The computational analysis further confirmed the strong interaction between CIN-RM and the Akt protein with a binding affinity of −10.9 kcal/mol at its critical active site. Taken together, we utilized molecular experiments, the CSC phenotype, and molecular docking methods to reveal the novel suppressing the activity of this compound on CSCs to benefit CSC-targeted therapy for lung cancer treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 4875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soft Coral-Derived Dihydrosinularin Exhibits Antiproliferative Effects Associated with Apoptosis and DNA Damage in Oral Cancer Cells

by Kun-Han Yang, Yu-Sheng Lin, Sheng-Chieh Wang, Min-Yu Lee, Jen-Yang Tang, Fang-Rong Chang, Ya-Ting Chuang, Jyh-Horng Sheu and Hsueh-Wei Chang

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(10), 994; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14100994 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2046

Abstract

Dihydrosinularin (DHS) is an analog of soft coral-derived sinularin; however, the anticancer effects and mechanisms of DHS have seldom been reported. This investigation examined the antiproliferation ability and mechanisms of DHS on oral cancer cells. In a cell viability assay, DHS showed growth inhibition against several types of oral cancer cell lines (Ca9-22, SCC-9, OECM-1, CAL 27, OC-2, and HSC-3) with no cytotoxic side effects on non-malignant oral cells (HGF-1). Ca9-22 and SCC-9 cell lines showing high susceptibility to DHS were selected to explore the antiproliferation mechanisms of DHS. DHS also causes apoptosis as detected by annexin V, pancaspase, and caspase 3 activation. DHS induces oxidative stress, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/mitochondrial superoxide (MitoSOX) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MitoMP) depletion. DHS also induced DNA damage by probing γH2AX phosphorylation. Pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can partly counter these DHS-induced changes. We report that the marine natural product DHS can inhibit the cell growth of oral cancer cells. Exploring the mechanisms of this cancer cell growth inhibition, we demonstrate the prominent role DHS plays in oxidative stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3949 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lipid-Lowering Bioactivity of Microalga Nitzschia laevis Extract Containing Fucoxanthin in Murine Model and Carcinomic Hepatocytes

by Bingbing Guo, Yonghui Zhou, Bin Liu, Yongjin He, Feng Chen and Ka-Wing Cheng

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(10), 1004; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14101004 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1967

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by hepatic steatosis, is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. So far, no definitive medical treatment has been established to treat NAFLD except for lifestyle medication. Nitzschia laevis extract (NLE), a microalgal extract rich in fucoxanthin, has been previously demonstrated to reduce bodyweight in high-fat-diet (HFD) C57BL/6J mice, indicating potential for prevention of NAFLD. In the present study, we investigated the lipid-lowering effects of NLE in HFD-induced steatosis murine model and palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. The results showed that NLE significantly lowered inguinal fat and attenuated hepatic steatosis in C57BL/6J mice. Especially, NLE significantly prevented lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. This was probably due to its capability to enhance hepatic mitochondrial function as evidenced by the increased oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and repress fatty acid synthesis through phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Moreover, fucoxanthin was identified to be responsible for the lipid-lowering effect of NLE. Taken together, NLE or other microalgal fucoxanthin-rich products are promising natural products that may help prevent against NAFLD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

23 pages, 2031 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Less Polar Compounds and Targeted Antioxidant Potential (In Vitro and In Vivo) of Codium adhaerens C. Agardh 1822

by Sanja Radman, Ana-Marija Cikoš, Ivana Flanjak, Sanja Babić, Lara Čižmek, Drago Šubarić, Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac, Stela Jokić and Igor Jerković

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(9), 944; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14090944 - 21 Sep 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2159

Abstract

Codium adhaerens from the Adriatic Sea (Croatia) was comprehensively investigated regarding less polar compounds for the first time. Although there are several phytochemical studies on C. adhaerens from other regions, this is the first report on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fresh (FrCa) and air-dried (DrCa) samples. The novelty is also related to its targeted antioxidant potential in vitro and in vivo. The main aims were to: (a) identify and compare VOCs of FrCa and DrCa obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and hydrodistillation (HD); (b) determine fatty acid (FA) composition of freeze-dried sample (FdCa); (c) determine the composition of less polar fractions of FdCa by high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionisation (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS); and (d) comprehensively evaluate the antioxidant activity of the fractions by four in vitro assays and in vivo zebrafish model (including embryotoxicity). Significant changes of VOCs were found after air drying. ω6 FAs were present in higher content than ω3 FAs indicating C. adhaerens as a good source of dietary polyunsaturated FAs. The results obtained in vivo correlate well with in vitro methods and both fractions exerted similar antioxidative responses which is in agreement with the high abundance of present biomolecules with known antioxidant properties (e.g., fucoxanthin, pheophytin a, and pheophorbide a). These results suggest that C. adhaerens might be a potent source of natural antioxidants that could be further used in the research of oxidative stress-related diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 2055 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Red Algal Sulfated Galactan Binds and Protects Neural Cells from HIV-1 gp120 and Tat

by Vitor H. Pomin, Fakhri Mahdi, Weihua Jin, Fuming Zhang, Robert J. Linhardt and Jason J. Paris

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(8), 714; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14080714 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2846

Abstract

The potential neuroprotective capacity of four different sulfated glycans: Botryocladia occidentalis-derived sulfated galactan (BoSG) (MW > 100 kDa), Lytechinus variegatus-derived sulfated fucan (LvSF) (MW~90 kDa), high-molecular weight dextran sulfate (DxS) (MW 100 kDa), and unfractionated heparin (UFH) (MW~15 kDa), was assessed in response to the HIV-1 proteins, R5-tropic glycoprotein 120 (gp120) and/or trans-activator of transcription (Tat), using primary murine neurons co-cultured with mixed glia. Compared to control-treated cells in which HIV-1 proteins alone or combined were neurotoxic, BoSG was, among the four tested sulfated glycans, the only one capable of showing significant concentration-dependent neuroprotection against Tat and/or gp120, alone or combined. Surface plasmon resonance-based data indicate that BoSG can bind both HIV-1 proteins at nM concentrations with preference for Tat (7.5 × 10⁻⁸ M) over gp120 (3.2 × 10⁻⁷ M) as compared to UFH, which bound gp120 (8.7 × 10⁻⁷ M) over Tat (5.7 × 10⁻⁶ M). Overall, these data support the notion that sulfated glycan extracted from the red alga B. occidentalis, BoSG, can exert neuroprotection against HIV-1 Tat and gp120, potentially via direct molecular interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 2365 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pharmacological Activities of Extracts and Compounds Isolated from Mediterranean Sponge Sources

by Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli, Fortunato Palma Esposito, Enrico Sangiovanni, Ester Pagano, Carmen Mannucci, Beatrice Polini, Carla Ghelardini, Mario Dell’Agli, Angelo Antonio Izzo, Gioacchino Calapai, Donatella de Pascale and Paola Nieri

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(12), 1329; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14121329 - 18 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3822

Abstract

Marine pharmacology is an exciting and growing discipline that blends blue biotechnology and natural compound pharmacology together. Several sea-derived compounds that are approved on the pharmaceutical market were discovered in sponges, marine organisms that are particularly rich in bioactive metabolites. This paper was specifically aimed at reviewing the pharmacological activities of extracts or purified compounds from marine sponges that were collected in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most biodiverse marine habitats, filling the gap in the literature about the research of natural products from this geographical area. Findings regarding different Mediterranean sponge species were individuated, reporting consistent evidence of efficacy mainly against cancer, infections, inflammatory, and neurological disorders. The sustainable exploitation of Mediterranean sponges as pharmaceutical sources is strongly encouraged to discover new compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 8387 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Bioactive 1,3-Oxazole-Containing Alkaloids from Marine Organisms

by Jinyun Chen, Sunyan Lv, Jia Liu, Yanlei Yu, Hong Wang and Huawei Zhang

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(12), 1274; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14121274 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3707

Abstract

1,3-Oxazole chemicals are a unique class of five-membered monocyclic heteroarenes, containing a nitrogen atom and an oxygen. These alkaloids have attracted extensive attention from medicinal chemists and pharmacologists owing to their diverse arrays of chemical structures and biological activities, and a series of 1,3-oxazole derivatives has been developed into therapeutic agents (e.g., almoxatone, befloxatone, cabotegravir, delpazolid, fenpipalone, haloxazolam, inavolisib). A growing amount of evidence indicates that marine organisms are one of important sources of 1,3-oxazole-containing alkaloids. To improve our knowledge regarding these marine-derived substances, as many as 285 compounds are summarized in this review, which, for the first time, highlights their sources, structural features and biological properties, as well as their biosynthesis and chemical synthesis. Perspective for the future discovery of new 1,3-oxazole compounds from marine organisms is also provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry and Biomedical Potential of Marine Natural Products)

► Show Figures