Marine Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Agents, 4th Edition

Inflammation is a natural biological response to harmful stimuli like pathogens, injuries, or environmental stressors. However, when this response becomes chronic—often due to modern lifestyle factors like poor diet—it can lead to "lifestyle diseases". A wide range of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune diseases, are now linked to inflammation. These conditions often involve oxidative stress, a harmful state caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) and the body’s antioxidant defenses. Oxidative stress can further drive inflammation, creating a damaging cycle.

The rising prevalence of chronic inflammatory disease has sparked interest in natural compounds with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Marine organisms have emerged as a promising source of such bioactive compounds. From marine plants, algae, and fish to invertebrates like sea cucumbers, sponges, and soft corals and microorganisms such as fungi, microalgae, and archaea, these ocean lifeforms produce a wide array of therapeutic compounds. Given the growing scientific and therapeutic interest in marine bioactive compounds, we are pleased to launch the fourth edition of the Special Issue “Marine Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Agents.”