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Marine Drugs
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Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition
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Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine-Derived Ingredients for Drugs, Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2026) | Viewed by 9187

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian
Interests: marine natural products; marine peptides; innate immunity; host defense peptides; molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial and anticancer activity; structure elucidation; structure-function relationship; bioengineering; drug design; peptide antibiotics; peptide anticancer agents; drug resistance; bioorganic chemistry; biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue "Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition" aims to collect papers on up-to-date information regarding isolation, structural elucidation, functional characterization, and therapeutic potential evaluation of peptides isolated from marine organisms. Chemical synthesis and biotechnological production of marine peptides and their mimetics will also be a focus of this Special Issue. In addition, this Special Issue has an interest in publishing new results arising from a peptidomic approach. Diverse in structure and function, marine peptides were found in various phyla, and their number has dynamically grown in recent years. Some of them are evolutionary ancient molecular factors of innate immunity that play a key role in host defense. A plethora of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, cytotoxic, neurotoxic, anticoagulant, antifreeze, endotoxin-binding, and immune-modulating, make marine peptides an attractive molecular basis for the design of innovative antibiotics, anticancer drugs, analgetics, medicines for neurological disorders, etc.

As Guest Editor, I invite researchers in the field to contribute to the fifth edition entitled "Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition".

Prof. Dr. Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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 peptides
  • structure, function
  • chemical synthesis
  • biotechnological production
  • peptidomics
  • therapeutic potential
  • antibacterial
  • antifungal
  • antiviral
  • cytotoxic
  • neurotoxic
  • anticancer
  • anticoagulant
  • endotoxin-binding
  • host defense
  • innate immunity
  • toxins
  • peptide drugs

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1097 KB  
Communication
In Vitro Validation of Size-Dependent Antiviral Activity of Phaeodactylum tricornutum-Derived Peptide Fractions Against SARS-CoV-2
by David Mauricio Cañedo-Figueroa, Blanca Azucena Márquez-Reyna, Alan Orlando Santos-Mena, Daniela Nahomi Calderón-Sandate, Flor Itzel Lira-Hernández, Julio E. Castañeda-Delgado, Ana Cristina García-Herrera, Rosa María del Ángel, Moisés León-Juárez, Marco Antonio Valdez-Flores, Gabriela López-Angulo, Claudia Desireé Norzagaray-Valenzuela, Loranda Calderón-Zamora, Evelin Cervantes-Bobadilla, Juan Fidel Osuna-Ramos and Luis Adrián De Jesús-González
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(4), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24040122 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 923
Abstract
The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants highlights the need for novel antiviral agents with favorable safety profiles. Marine microalgae constitute a valuable source of bioactive compounds, including antiviral peptides. Building on previous in silico identification of peptides derived from the marine microalga Phaeodactylum [...] Read more.
The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants highlights the need for novel antiviral agents with favorable safety profiles. Marine microalgae constitute a valuable source of bioactive compounds, including antiviral peptides. Building on previous in silico identification of peptides derived from the marine microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum with predicted activity against SARS-CoV-2, this study evaluated the antiviral capacity of peptide fractions generated by enzymatic hydrolysis and separated by molecular weight (10–30, 5–10, 3–5, and <3 kDa) in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2. Cytotoxicity analyses, assessed using MTT and resazurin assays, revealed a moderate, concentration-dependent reduction in metabolic activity while maintaining overall cell viability within an acceptable range for antiviral evaluation, with higher-molecular-weight fractions (10–30 and 5–10 kDa) displaying the most stable profiles. Antiviral activity was assessed by flow cytometry following post-infection treatment. Lower-molecular-weight fractions (3–5 and <3 kDa) showed early reductions in infection at low concentrations but exhibited variable responses. In contrast, the 10–30 and 5–10 kDa fractions showed more robust, dose-dependent inhibition at medium and high concentrations, reducing infection levels to levels close to those observed in uninfected controls. Comparative analysis with the reference antiviral drug lopinavir demonstrated that peptide fractions exhibit lower cytotoxicity while retaining antiviral activity under equivalent experimental conditions. Overall, these results indicate that antiviral efficacy is strongly influenced by peptide molecular weight and consistency of response. This work provides experimental in vitro validation of P. tricornutum–derived peptide fractions as marine antiviral candidates and supports the integration of in silico and functional approaches for marine drug discovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition)
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17 pages, 2382 KB  
Article
Impact of Pretreatment Degree and Enzyme Type on the Production of Radical Scavenging and Antiproliferative Peptides from Starfish
by Naveen Kumar Vate, Elahe Sharifi, Alessandro Coppola, Eleonora Montuori, Ingrid Undeland, Donatella de Pascale, Daniela Coppola and Mehdi Abdollahi
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(3), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24030120 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 717
Abstract
Enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the effective methods used to obtain the bioactive peptides from marine resources. This study aimed to evaluate effect of the enzyme type (Food Pro PNL (FP), Corolase8000 (C8), and Corolase7089 (C7)) and biomass pretreatment level (whole starfish (SF), [...] Read more.
Enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the effective methods used to obtain the bioactive peptides from marine resources. This study aimed to evaluate effect of the enzyme type (Food Pro PNL (FP), Corolase8000 (C8), and Corolase7089 (C7)) and biomass pretreatment level (whole starfish (SF), deproteinized (DPSF) as well as deproteinized and demineralized starfish (DPDMSF)) on the hydrolysate yield, degree of hydrolysis (DH), generated peptides’ molecular weight (MW), and in vitro radical scavenging and antiproliferative effects. Regardless of the enzyme used, deproteinization reduced the hydrolysate yield (<8% dw/ww) and DH (<5%), but also adding demineralization, in combination with C8, resulted in an equal yield (15%) and DH (>40%) to SF. However, the protein content of hydrolysates from DPSF and DPDMSF was higher than that prepared from SF. C8 was not effective in hydrolyzing SF but was the only effective enzyme in hydrolyzing DPDMSF. The peptides’ MW distribution strongly depended on the pretreatment and enzyme type, mostly ranging from 17 to 70 kDa. Glycine content was higher in hydrolysates from DPSF and DMDPSF, indicating their collagenous nature. Hydrolysates from DPSF, rich in collagenous peptides, showed medium MW but the highest radical scavenging activity. Only SF-FP hydrolysate, rich in non-collagenous peptides, showed antiproliferative activity against melanoma cancer cells. Overall, the findings demonstrate that upstream biomass pretreatment and enzyme selection directly govern the yield and bioactivity of starfish protein hydrolysates, providing a rational basis for designing starfish protein hydrolysates with targeted functional properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition)
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18 pages, 5407 KB  
Article
Improvement Effect and Regulation Mechanism of Oyster Peptide on Dexamethasone-Induced Osteoporotic Rats
by Wei Yang, Wenyu Ma, Xiaoming Qin, Wenhong Cao and Haisheng Lin
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(9), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23090356 - 11 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2396
Abstract
The increasing global population of the elderly and rising life expectancy have made osteoporosis a more severe public health issue, necessitating the development of safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the osteoprotective effects of low, medium, and high doses of [...] Read more.
The increasing global population of the elderly and rising life expectancy have made osteoporosis a more severe public health issue, necessitating the development of safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the osteoprotective effects of low, medium, and high doses of oyster peptide (OP) in dexamethasone (DEX)-induced osteoporotic rats. Pathological analysis showed that OP treatment effectively mitigated bone loss and repaired bone microarchitecture deterioration caused by DEX administration. In the OP groups, levels of the osteogenic markers osteocalcin (OCN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were significantly higher than in the DEX group. Moreover, levels of the osteoclastic markers RANKL, Cathepsin K (Cath-K), MMP-9, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), and Deoxypyridine (DPD) were significantly lower. Bone proteomic analysis of the DEX and OP groups revealed that differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in pathways related to extracellular matrix and structural reorganization, ECM–receptor interaction, and PI3K-Akt signaling. Furthermore, virtual screening simulations indicated that peptides with lengths ranging from 11 to 20 amino acid residues were involved in modulating the activity of key receptors in these pathways, including Integrins α5β1, Integrins αvβ3, and EGFR. Collectively, these results demonstrate the significant potential of OP as a novel therapeutic agent for osteoporosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition)
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21 pages, 3929 KB  
Article
Heterologous Expression and Antimicrobial Targets of a Novel Glycine-Rich Antimicrobial Peptide from Artemia franciscana
by Ming Tao, Aobo Sun, Huishi Shao, Huaiyuan Ye, Guangming Yu, Daigeng Chen and Wei Zhang
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(8), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23080330 - 17 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2338
Abstract
The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture, caused by the excessive and unregulated use of antibiotics, highlights the critical necessity for developing new anti-infective solutions. Based on the characteristics of glycine-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and transcriptomic data, an antimicrobial peptide, namely Af [...] Read more.
The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture, caused by the excessive and unregulated use of antibiotics, highlights the critical necessity for developing new anti-infective solutions. Based on the characteristics of glycine-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and transcriptomic data, an antimicrobial peptide, namely AfRgly1, was discovered in this study. Subsequently, the peptide was obtained through heterologous expression in E. coli, and its antibacterial spectrum was determined. Molecular dynamics simulation and molecular biology experiments were conducted to explore the antibacterial target of AfRgly1. Results showed that the mRNA expression level of AfRgly1 was significantly upregulated after Vibrio alginolyticus infection. AfRgly1 has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity targeting on bacterial cell membrane, and it may also interact with bacterial DNA. AfRgly1 displayed low selectivity for fish red blood cells. These results indicate that AfRgly1 is an antimicrobial peptide with considerable potential for application in the development of therapeutic agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition)
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Review

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39 pages, 822 KB  
Review
Human and Marine Host Defense Peptides for Healthy Skin
by Svetlana V. Guryanova, Oksana Yu. Belogurova-Ovchinnikova and Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(4), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24040134 - 10 Apr 2026
Viewed by 902
Abstract
The skin serves as the first line barrier of innate immunity, protecting the body from external influences and maintaining its homeostasis. Exogenous and endogenous stress factors alter the structure and functional properties of the skin. The search for compounds capable of counteracting these [...] Read more.
The skin serves as the first line barrier of innate immunity, protecting the body from external influences and maintaining its homeostasis. Exogenous and endogenous stress factors alter the structure and functional properties of the skin. The search for compounds capable of counteracting these processes has allowed the identification of peptides as promising ingredients of products for medicinal and cosmetic applications. This review comprehensively examines the mechanisms of action and dermatological applications of two distinct classes of natural products—endogenous human peptides and those derived from marine organisms. Human peptides exhibit numerous biological functions, including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory ones, as well as promoting antioxidant protection and wound healing. Microbiome-associated peptides are an underestimated but powerful regulator of skin aging through immunomodulation, inflammation control, barrier function maintenance, and selection of the proper microbial community. Peptides from marine organisms exhibit significant structural diversity and a broad spectrum of biological activity, including regenerative effects and effects on antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. This review summarizes current data obtained from in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical studies demonstrating a broad potential of peptides for maintaining skin health. Both peptide classes represent powerful, targeted strategies for innovative dermatological interventions aimed at promoting skin rejuvenation, protection, and overall homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition)
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49 pages, 7357 KB  
Review
Targeting the Cardiovascular-Alzheimer’s Disease Axis: The Promise of Marine Bioactive Peptides
by Chathuri Kaushalya Marasinghe, Kumju Youn, Chi-Tang Ho and Mira Jun
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(2), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24020056 - 29 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1169
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are among the most prevalent chronic conditions, contributing significantly to global morbidity and healthcare burdens. These diseases are increasingly recognized as interconnected through shared mechanisms such as vascular dysfunction, oxidative stress, hypertension, and systemic inflammation, collectively [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are among the most prevalent chronic conditions, contributing significantly to global morbidity and healthcare burdens. These diseases are increasingly recognized as interconnected through shared mechanisms such as vascular dysfunction, oxidative stress, hypertension, and systemic inflammation, collectively referred to as the CVD-AD axis. Although therapeutic strategies exist for each condition, integrated approaches targeting these common pathways remain limited. This review highlights marine-derived bioactive peptides (BAPs) as multifunctional, sustainable agents for the simultaneous prevention of CVD and AD. It summarizes recent advances in their production, purification, and characterization, with emphasis on enzymatic hydrolysis and separation techniques. Marine BAPs exhibit diverse bioactivities, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and neuroprotective, addressing key pathological mechanisms of the CVD-AD axis. Their small size, stability, and favorable safety profile support absorption and initial bioavailability, while sustainable sourcing from underutilized marine biomass enables eco-friendly production. Despite their potential, barriers to scalable production, product standardization, and regulatory approval remain; however, incremental advances are being made toward overcoming these issues. Together with these advances, marine BAPs remain promising candidates for functional foods and nutraceuticals, providing integrated preventive strategies for age-related diseases and supporting long-term cardiovascular and cognitive health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Bioactive Peptides: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential, 5th Edition)
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