Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery
Seaweeds, also known as marine algae, have gained attention as a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in drug discovery. This review explores the emerging field of seaweed-based drug discovery and highlights the diverse range of bioactive compounds found in seaweeds, i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Open Exploration
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Exploration of Drug Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.explorationpub.com/uploads/Article/A100832/100832.pdf |
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| author | Leonel Pereira Ana Valado |
| author_facet | Leonel Pereira Ana Valado |
| author_sort | Leonel Pereira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Seaweeds, also known as marine algae, have gained attention as a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in drug discovery. This review explores the emerging field of seaweed-based drug discovery and highlights the diverse range of bioactive compounds found in seaweeds, including polysaccharides, phlorotannins, pigments, and peptides. These compounds exhibit various pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer effects. Seaweeds have demonstrated particular promise in the areas of cancer research, with certain species showing potent antitumor properties. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective potential has captured scientific interest in the treatment of chronic diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. However, challenges related to compound identification, extraction methods, scalability of seaweed cultivation, and understanding the mechanisms of action still need to be addressed. As researchers employ advanced technologies and dive deeper into the chemical composition of seaweeds, the untapped potential of these marine organisms in drug discovery awaits further exploration and holds significant promise for future therapeutic advancements. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-83d7490290aa439fbf1ad5cf994c712f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2836-7677 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Open Exploration |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Exploration of Drug Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-83d7490290aa439fbf1ad5cf994c712f2025-02-08T03:44:56ZengOpen ExplorationExploration of Drug Science2836-76772023-12-011647549610.37349/eds.2023.00032Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discoveryLeonel Pereira0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6819-0619Ana Valado1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0157-6648Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology-Marine Algae Lab, CFE-Centre for Functional Ecology: Science for People & Planet, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalMARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, 3045-043 Coimbra, PortugalSeaweeds, also known as marine algae, have gained attention as a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in drug discovery. This review explores the emerging field of seaweed-based drug discovery and highlights the diverse range of bioactive compounds found in seaweeds, including polysaccharides, phlorotannins, pigments, and peptides. These compounds exhibit various pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer effects. Seaweeds have demonstrated particular promise in the areas of cancer research, with certain species showing potent antitumor properties. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective potential has captured scientific interest in the treatment of chronic diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. However, challenges related to compound identification, extraction methods, scalability of seaweed cultivation, and understanding the mechanisms of action still need to be addressed. As researchers employ advanced technologies and dive deeper into the chemical composition of seaweeds, the untapped potential of these marine organisms in drug discovery awaits further exploration and holds significant promise for future therapeutic advancements.https://www.explorationpub.com/uploads/Article/A100832/100832.pdfmarine algaedrug discoverybioactive compoundspolysaccharidespolyphenolsterpenoidspharmacological activities |
| spellingShingle | Leonel Pereira Ana Valado Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery Exploration of Drug Science marine algae drug discovery bioactive compounds polysaccharides polyphenols terpenoids pharmacological activities |
| title | Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery |
| title_full | Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery |
| title_fullStr | Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery |
| title_short | Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery |
| title_sort | harnessing the power of seaweed unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery |
| topic | marine algae drug discovery bioactive compounds polysaccharides polyphenols terpenoids pharmacological activities |
| url | https://www.explorationpub.com/uploads/Article/A100832/100832.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leonelpereira harnessingthepowerofseaweedunveilingthepotentialofmarinealgaeindrugdiscovery AT anavalado harnessingthepowerofseaweedunveilingthepotentialofmarinealgaeindrugdiscovery |