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Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds with Potential Applications for Retinal Health

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 4673

Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Institute of Biomedical Optics, University of Lübeck, Peter-Monnik-Weg 4, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
3. Medical Laser Center Lübeck, Peter-Monnik-Weg 4, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
Interests: retinal laser treatment; laser–tissue interaction; cell metabolism; oxidative stress; retinal cell/organ culture; optical coherence tomography; fluorescence lifetime imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The retina is a highly specialized neural tissue essential for visual perception, and its structural and functional integrity is critical for maintaining vision. However, the retina is vulnerable to a wide range of degenerative, inflammatory, metabolic, and vascular insults that can lead to irreversible vision loss. Retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy remain major causes of blindness worldwide. While advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved outcomes, many forms of retinal degeneration still lack effective therapies, and preventive strategies remain underdeveloped.

Marine-derived bioactive compounds represent a largely untapped resource with enormous promise for retinal medicine. The ocean's unique biodiversity offers a vast array of biologically active molecules with diverse mechanisms of action and therapeutic relevance. However, this wealth of marine-derived compounds remains significantly underexplored.

The Special Issue, "Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds with Potential Applications for Retinal Health," aims to spotlight emerging research on the use of marine compounds to support retinal structure and function. Submissions addressing therapeutic development, mechanistic studies (e.g., oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, neuroinflammation, neuroprotection or mitochondrial dysfunction), and clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of compounds are encouraged. Preventive strategies to maintain retinal health are also of great relevance to this topic. Studies exploring formulation and delivery approaches to enhance ocular bioavailability and interdisciplinary research contributing to this emerging field are welcome. By highlighting this underexplored field, we aim to present new avenues in vision science and retinal care inspired by marine biology.

As Guest Editor, I look forward to receiving contributions that will enrich this Special Issue and advance the field of retinal research through the lens of marine-derived compounds.

Prof. Dr. Yoko Miura
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-anonymized 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-derived compounds
  • retina
  • retinal pigment epithelium
  • age-related macular degeneration
  • antioxidants
  • anti-inflammatory mechanisms
  • neuroprotection

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2178 KB  
Article
Marine-Derived Fucoidan Modulates Pathways Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Cellular and Zebrafish Models
by Haqdil Hakeem Shad, Philipp Dörschmann, Samira Laura Hautmann, Johann Roider and Alexa Klettner
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(6), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24060216 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 573
Abstract
Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, is known for its beneficial bioactive effects, for example antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular modulatory effects. Such a bioactive compound may also be useful for treating neurodegenerative diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our research focuses on AMD-related pathomechanisms using [...] Read more.
Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, is known for its beneficial bioactive effects, for example antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular modulatory effects. Such a bioactive compound may also be useful for treating neurodegenerative diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our research focuses on AMD-related pathomechanisms using primary porcine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in vitro and zebrafish (Danio rerio) models in vivo. We tested the bioactivity of a commercially available fucoidan (FVs) from bladderwrack with regard to pathomechanisms of AMD. We performed multiplex assays, RT-qPCR and fluorescence-based assays for the formation of nitric oxide (DAF-FM assay) and reactive oxygen species (DCF-DA assay) to analyze angiogenesis-related chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as protection against oxidative stress and inflammatory insult. Our results showed that FVs significantly reduced the secretion of pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and follistatin as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic/polycytidylic acid (PIC) induction. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) was also reduced in the supernatant of the RPE cells. Additionally, in zebrafish, fucoidan decreased the production of NO and ROS. Gene expression of zebrafish embryos revealed anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory genes and significantly downregulating, e.g., interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). These findings indicate modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and VEGF secretion of the used FVs. This study demonstrates that fucoidan possesses AMD-relevant bioactivities in vitro and in vivo, suggesting fucoidan warrants further investigation in AMD-related research and related pathological mechanisms. Full article
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25 pages, 3196 KB  
Article
From Sea to Sight: Fucoidan Protects Against Oxidative Damage in Porcine Retina Organ Culture
by Leonie Deppe, Philipp Dörschmann, H. Burkhard Dick, Alexa Klettner and Stephanie C. Joachim
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(3), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24030088 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1076
Abstract
Degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is a hallmark of glaucoma. As RGCs are vulnerable to oxidative imbalance, anti-oxidative strategies are of significant interest as novel therapeutic targets. Fucoidans, bioactive compounds derived from algae, are known to be anti-oxidative. Hence, we investigated if [...] Read more.
Degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is a hallmark of glaucoma. As RGCs are vulnerable to oxidative imbalance, anti-oxidative strategies are of significant interest as novel therapeutic targets. Fucoidans, bioactive compounds derived from algae, are known to be anti-oxidative. Hence, we investigated if fucoidans have protective effects in a retina organ culture model. Porcine explants were pre-treated with fucoidan (Fucus vesiculosus; FVs) for 0.5 h (10 or 50 µg/mL). Afterwards, damage was induced through H2O2 (500 µM; 3 h). Four groups were investigated: control, H2O2, 10 FVs + H2O2, and 50 FVs + H2O2. RGCs, glial cells, hypoxic/oxidative, apoptotic, and ferroptotic markers were examined by immunohistology, RT-qPCR, and a caspase assay. H2O2 led to lower RGC numbers and RBPMS expression levels while FVs prevented this degeneration. An upregulation of glial expressions and more microglia/macrophages were observed in H2O2 samples, mitigated by FVs. Anti-oxidative genes increased during stress but normalized with FVs. Apoptotic signaling increased while GPX4 mRNA expression decreased with H2O2, both restored by FVs. Consequently, RGC loss was prevented through the attenuation of glial activation, inhibition of hypoxic/oxidative stress, and anti-ferroptotic/apoptotic action mediated by FVs. Advancing glaucoma research, this study emphasizes the therapeutic potential of FVs and offers new directions for future research. Full article
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27 pages, 3933 KB  
Article
Fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus Protects Retinal Pigment Epithelium from Lipid-Induced Damage Related to AMD
by Femke Hacker, Johann Roider, Alexa Klettner and Philipp Dörschmann
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24020064 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1257
Abstract
Fucoidans are natural compounds that exhibit bioactivity against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of central vision loss in industrialized nations. Pathological factors like oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation play vital roles in AMD pathogenesis. Lipid-induced alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium [...] Read more.
Fucoidans are natural compounds that exhibit bioactivity against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of central vision loss in industrialized nations. Pathological factors like oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation play vital roles in AMD pathogenesis. Lipid-induced alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contribute to AMD development. In this study, a commercial fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus (FVs) was tested for its activity regarding lipid-peroxidation-related effects. The human RPE cell line ARPE-19, primary porcine RPE, and RPE/choroid explants were stimulated with erastin, acting as an inducer of lipid peroxidation, and treated with fucoidan. Effects on cell viability (tetrazolium bromide (MTT) or calcein staining), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin 8 (IL8) secretion (ELISA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), protein expression (glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), CD59, and retinoid isomerohydrolase (RPE65), analyzed via Western blot), and gene expression (RT-qPCR) were investigated. FVs showed protective effects against erastin-induced reduction in viability (with a 12.7% increase in viability compared to erastin), RPE65 expression (with a 4.2-fold increase compared to erastin), and GPX4 expression (with a 2.3-fold increase compared to erastin) in primary RPE. Erastin-induced VEGF secretion was attenuated by FVs in ARPE-19 and primary RPE (with an up to 1.7-fold reduction compared to erastin). Elevated IL8 levels were reduced by FV treatment in primary RPE (with a 9.1-fold reduction compared to erastin). Induced VEGF in RPE/choroid explants was reduced by FVs (with an up to 2.9-fold reduction compared to erastin), and this reduction was correlated with slight improvements in viability. In conclusion, FVs exerted protective effects against lipid-induced stress. This study reveals further effects of fucoidans against AMD-related pathologies. Full article
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19 pages, 3039 KB  
Article
A Sulfated Polysaccharide from Gelidium crinale Suppresses Oxidative Stress and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Cultured Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
by Yurong Fang, Haiyan Zheng, Yizhu Chen, Bomi Ryu and Zhong-Ji Qian
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(10), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23100381 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1209
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progresses to vision-threatening dry and wet forms, with no effective dry AMD treatments available. The sulfated polysaccharide (GNP, 25.8 kDa) derived from Gelidium crinale exhibits diverse biological activities and represents a potential source of novel therapeutic agents. This study [...] Read more.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progresses to vision-threatening dry and wet forms, with no effective dry AMD treatments available. The sulfated polysaccharide (GNP, 25.8 kDa) derived from Gelidium crinale exhibits diverse biological activities and represents a potential source of novel therapeutic agents. This study employed a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) model in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to investigate GNP’s protective mechanisms against both oxidative damage and EMT. The results demonstrated that GNP effectively suppressed oxidative stress, with the 600 μg/mL dose significantly inhibiting excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation to levels comparable to untreated controls. Concurrently, at concentrations of 200–600 μg/mL, GNP inhibited NF-κB signaling and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, effectively counteracting H2O2-induced oxidative damage and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, in H2O2-treated ARPE-19 cells, 600 μg/mL GNP significantly reduced the secretion of N-cadherin (N-cad), Vimentin (Vim), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), while increasing E-cadherin (E-cad) expression, consequently inhibiting cell migration. Mechanistically, GNP activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. These findings suggest that GNP may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for dry AMD. Full article
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