Therapeutic Drugs from Marine Sources

Nowadays there is a growing importance for the discovery of biodynamic agents from marine sources and drugs from marine sources. It is mainly marine invertebrates and microorganisms that are the sources of the drugs. Drugs from marine sources show wider chemical diversity and novel mechanisms of action. 

The products obtained from them are collectively termed marine natural products or MNPs. The compounds that make up the MNPs are secondary metabolites produced as a defense mechanism against predators, to attract other organisms, or ward off other organisms from settling in their areas, for reproduction, etc. Moreover, more advances are seen in the development of anticancer drugs from these MNPs. 

Studies show that extracts from marine organisms show antimicrobial, antibiotic, antiviral, anticancer, cardioactive, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anticoagulant, insecticidal activities, etc. 

Antiviral Agents from Marine Sources

• Ara-A from marine sponge.
• Thethya erypta has therapeutic properties.
• Eudistomins from sponges (Eudistoma olivaceum)
• Didemnins from Trididemnum sp have antiviral and antitumor properties.
• Avarol and avarones are sesquiterpene benzoides from the sponge Disidea avara that show strong anti-HIV activity.
• Patellazole B from Lissoclinum patella is active against the Herpes simplex virus.
• Fucoidan from brown algae Laminaria is effective against both HIV and Herpes simplex.

Anthelmintic Agents

• Alpha-Kainic acid obtained from Digenia simplex, a red alage has anthelmintic activity against worms. It is used in powdered form against ascariasis.
• Domoic acid which is related to kainic acid from Chondria armata ( a red algae) and Alsidium corallinum shows anthelminthic activities.
• Laminine, taken from red and brown algae, is a methylated lysine derivative with muscle relaxant and antiparasitic properties.
• Bengamide F taken from marine sponges showed antiparasitic activity.
• Cucumechinoside F is obtained from sea cucumber which shows antiprotozoal activity.

Cardiovascular Agents of Marine Source

• Eledoisin taken from the salivary glands of Eledone moschata, a CEphalopod, exhibits vasodilatory and hypotensive activities.
• Octopamine from Octopus vulgaris, O.macropus, Eledone moschata, work as a cardiotonic.
• Laminine from Laminaria angustata also shows hypotensive activity.

Other Drug Agents from Marine Resources

• Ara-C from the Carribean sponge is an anticancer agent.
• Bryostatin I from Bugula neritina shows antineoplastic activity, even at a lower dose.
• Agelasidine A from Agelas sp., an Okinawa sea sponge, has good antispasmodic activity.
• Bio-indol derivatives from Rivularia firma show anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema.
• Sulphated polysaccharide carrageenan from Chondrus crispus– Irish moss, is used as a phlogistic agent to induce inflammation to study anti-inflammatory activity.
• Carrageenans from Chondrus crispus and galactan sulfuric acid from Iridaea laminaroides show anticoagulant effects.
• Fucoidan also shows an antithrombin effect.

Many of the marine drug sources are cultivated using aquaculture to extract the compound and for later studies. The advancements in modern scientific research have shown a larger scope in this field.  

References

• Shah, Biren N, Avinash Seth. (2010). Textbook of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. Elsevier.
• https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/research/pharmaceuticals-from-marine-sources-past-present-and-future

Additional Reading

• Classification of Crude Drugs in Pharmacognosy
• Storage of Crude Drugs
• Types Of Alkaloids In Pharmacognosy