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Marine Drugs
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Marine Drugs in Cell Signaling Pathways
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Marine Drugs in Cell Signaling Pathways

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 9005

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Thilina U. Jayawardena

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
Interests: natural product chemistry; medicinal chemistry; biochemistry; functional food; marine algae utilization; sarcopenia-obesity-inflammation; wastewater chemistry; food chemistry; environmental chemistry; particulate matter
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ilekuttige Priyan Shanura Fernando

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Marine Bio-Food Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
Interests: marine natural products; medicinal chemistry; bioprospecting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine organisms are a source of secondary metabolites capable of producing a myriad of biofunctional effects. The previous literature has covered the antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor potential of compounds from vivid algal species and other marine organisms. Marine organisms manage to prevail without any serious damage even under harsh and dynamic environmental conditions, with facts hinting at the possession of protective compounds, many of which have indicated potential bioactivities. Over the last decade, the large-scale screening and identification of novel bioactive compounds of seaweed have been conducted, owing to an increased demand. The use of natural products in drug discovery has long been beneficial. The potential of marine natural products is attributed to their unique chemical structures sustained over their evolution, which makes them distinctive from the natural products of terrestrial organisms.

Despite the contribution of synthetic methods to combinatorial chemistry-driven drug approaches, natural sources still constitute an enormous contribution to drug discovery. Marine natural products are still underexplored and could be useful in the treatment of diseases and, hence, be utilized prospectively in the functional food, pharmacology, and cosmetic sectors. However, several hurdles have to be overcome to promote their use in the aforementioned sectors. An increased understanding of the action mechanism of these compounds in biological systems, including the mediatory action of specific cell signaling pathways, is pivotal for developing pharmaceuticals.

Changes in signal transduction in cellular systems of specific tissues are used as a guide to identify the pathology of diseases. Thus, the modulation of specific signal transduction in given cellular systems could assist in the management of diseases. Purified bioactive secondary metabolites from marine natural resources have the potential to provide therapeutic effects in this regard by activating or inhibiting signaling pathways or by regulating gene expression.

Altogether, this Special Issue targets insights into the mediation of multiple disorders through the sustainable use of secondary metabolites from abundant marine natural sources.

Dr. Thilina U. Jayawardena
Dr. Ilekuttige Priyan Shanura Fernando
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. Marine Drugs 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 resources
  • drugs
  • natural products
  • marine bioresource technology
  • medicinal chemistry
  • cell signaling pathways
  • inflammation
  • apoptosis
  • obesity
  • antioxidant

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3016 KiB  
Article
Structural Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 24-Methylcholesta-5(6), 22-Diene-3β-ol from the Cultured Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum; Attenuate Inflammatory Signaling Pathways
by Kalpa W. Samarakoon, Anchala I. Kuruppu, Ju-Young Ko, Ji-Hyeok Lee and You-Jin Jeon
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(4), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21040231 - 3 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1639
Abstract
In the present investigation, 24-methylcholesta-5(6), 22-diene-3β-ol (MCDO), a major phytosterol was isolated from the cultured marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, and in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were determined. MCDO demonstrated very potent dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide [...] Read more.
In the present investigation, 24-methylcholesta-5(6), 22-diene-3β-ol (MCDO), a major phytosterol was isolated from the cultured marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, and in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were determined. MCDO demonstrated very potent dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells with minimal cytotoxic effects. MCDO also demonstrated a strong and significant suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production, but no substantial inhibitory effects were observed on the production of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the tested concentrations against LPS treatment on RAW macrophages. Western blot assay confirmed the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expressions against LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, MCDO was assessed for in vivo anti-inflammatory effects using the zebrafish model. MCDO acted as a potent inhibitor for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NO levels with a protective effect against the oxidative stress induced by LPS in inflammatory zebrafish embryos. Collectively, MCDO isolated from the cultured marine diatom P. tricornutum exhibited profound anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this major sterol might be a potential treatment for inflammatory diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Drugs in Cell Signaling Pathways)
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13 pages, 3832 KiB  
Article
Halorotetin A: A Novel Terpenoid Compound Isolated from Ascidian Halocynthia rotetzi Exhibits the Inhibition Activity on Tumor Cell Proliferation
by Jianhui Li, Shanhao Han, Yuting Zhu and Bo Dong
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21010051 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2373
Abstract
Halocynthia roretzi, the edible ascidian, has been demonstrated to be an important source of bioactive natural metabolites. Here, we reported a novel terpenoid compound named Halorotetin A that was isolated from tunic ethanol extract of H. roretzi by silica gel column chromatography, [...] Read more.
Halocynthia roretzi, the edible ascidian, has been demonstrated to be an important source of bioactive natural metabolites. Here, we reported a novel terpenoid compound named Halorotetin A that was isolated from tunic ethanol extract of H. roretzi by silica gel column chromatography, preparative layer chromatography (PLC), and semipreparative-HPLC. 1H and 13C NMRs, 1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and HRESIMS profiles revealed that Halorotetin A was a novel terpenoid compound with antitumor potentials. We therefore treated the culture cells with Halorotetin A and found that it significantly inhibited the proliferation of a series of tumor cells by exerting cytotoxicity, especially for the liver carcinoma cell line (HepG-2 cells). Further studies revealed that Halorotetin A affected the expression of several genes associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including oncogenes (c-myc and c-met) and HCC suppressor genes (TP53 and KEAP1). In addition, we compared the cytotoxicities of Halorotetin A and doxorubicin on HepG-2 cells. To our surprise, the cytotoxicities of Halorotetin A and doxorubicin on HepG-2 cells were similar at the same concentration and Halorotetin A did not significantly reduce the viability of the normal cells. Thus, our study identified a novel compound that significantly inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells, which provided the basis for the discovery of leading compounds for antitumor drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Drugs in Cell Signaling Pathways)
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19 pages, 4407 KiB  
Article
Xestospongia muta Fraction-7 and Linoleic Acid: Effects on SR-BI Gene Expression and HDL Cholesterol Uptake
by Nurul Adila Azemi, Ahmad Khusairi Azemi, Luqman Abu-Bakar, Vigneswari Sevakumaran, Tengku Sifzizul Tengku Muhammad and Noraznawati Ismail
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(12), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20120762 - 4 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1595
Abstract
Xestospongia muta is a marine sponge belonging to the family Petrosiidae. It is an important source of biologically active marine natural products, with different kinds of essential fatty acids. Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is the main receptor for [...] Read more.
Xestospongia muta is a marine sponge belonging to the family Petrosiidae. It is an important source of biologically active marine natural products, with different kinds of essential fatty acids. Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is the main receptor for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which plays a pivotal role in preventing atherosclerosis. It removes cholesterol from HDL cholesterol, returning lipid-poor lipoprotein into blood circulation. The present study investigated the effects of X. muta Fraction-7 and linoleic acid on SR-BI gene expression and HDL cholesterol uptake. In vitro studies of the activity of X. muta and linoleic acid against the therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia were conducted using the HDL receptor SR-BI via luciferase assay and HepG2 cells. In the present study, Fraction-7 of X. muta showed the highest expression level of the SR-BI gene via luciferase assay. Profiling of Fraction-7 of X. muta by GC-MS revealed 58 compounds, comprising various fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. The in vitro study in HepG2 cells showed that the Fraction-7 of X. muta and linoleic acid (an active compound in X. muta) increased SR-BI mRNA expression by 129% and 85%, respectively, compared to the negative control. Linoleic acid increased HDL uptake by 3.21-fold compared to the negative control. Thus, the Fraction-7 of X. muta and linoleic acid have the potential to be explored as adjuncts in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia to prevent or reduce the severity of atherosclerosis development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Drugs in Cell Signaling Pathways)
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18 pages, 3277 KiB  
Article
Anti-Fine Dust Effect of Fucoidan Extracted from Ecklonia maxima Leaves in Macrophages via Inhibiting Inflammatory Signaling Pathways
by D.P. Nagahawatta, N.M. Liyanage, H.H.A.C.K. Jayawardhana, Hyo-Geun Lee, Thilina U. Jayawardena and You-Jin Jeon
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(7), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20070413 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2777
Abstract
Brown seaweeds contain fucoidan, which has numerous biological activities. Here, the anti-fine-dust activity of fucoidan extracted from Ecklonia maxima, an abundant brown seaweed from South Africa, was explored. Fourier transmittance infrared spectroscopy, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection analysis of the [...] Read more.
Brown seaweeds contain fucoidan, which has numerous biological activities. Here, the anti-fine-dust activity of fucoidan extracted from Ecklonia maxima, an abundant brown seaweed from South Africa, was explored. Fourier transmittance infrared spectroscopy, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection analysis of the monosaccharide content, and nuclear magnetic resonance were used for the structural characterization of the polysaccharides. The toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were evaluated. The results revealed that E. maxima purified leaf fucoidan fraction 7 (EMLF7), which contained the highest sulfate content, showed the best anti-inflammatory activity by attenuating the TLR-mediated NF-κB/MAPK protein expressions in the particulate matter-stimulated cells. This was solidified by the successful reduction of Prostaglandin E2, NO, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. The current findings confirm the anti-inflammatory activity of EMLF7, as well as the potential use of E. maxima as a low-cost fucoidan source due to its abundance. This suggests its further application as a functional ingredient in consumer products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Drugs in Cell Signaling Pathways)
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