Marine Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Agents 4.0

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammation is a physiological reaction triggered by various factors, such as pathogens or injuries. Environmental factors, including food choices, can also lead to so-called "lifestyle diseases", in which chronic inflammation is a key factor.

Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and others are classified as inflammation-related diseases. The process of chronic inflammation often creates the ideal conditions for triggering a state of oxidative stress, and vice versa. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of oxidants and antioxidant defenses. An excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) or the stimulation of pro-inflammatory agents (including toxic or pathogenic substances) triggers inflammation.

The uncontrolled increase in chronic inflammatory diseases in the last decade has led to an increasingly urgent search for natural compounds with dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in an attempt to develop new, safe, and effective agents as alternatives to conventional drugs. In this regard, marine organisms and their metabolites are at the center of international research aimed toward the discovery of new and biologically active products as the foundation of the future bioeconomy and, above all, promising drugs. Among marine organisms, marine algae, sea cucumbers, fish, marine invertebrates (such as sponges and marine soft corals), crustaceans, and microorganisms (microalgae, fungi, archaea, protozoa, and yeasts) are known producers of natural antioxidants.

Given the widespread and current interest in this topic, we decided to propose Version 4.0 of this Special Issue to continue to collect the most innovative findings regarding antioxidant and anti-inflammatory products from the sea.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the latest experimental in vitro and/or in vivo research highlighting the role of bioactive compounds of marine origin as modulators of inflammation and/or oxidative stress. Articles describing the mechanisms of action and molecular interactions of compounds isolated from marine organisms are particularly encouraged. Papers on individual molecules, as well as crude extracts of marine organisms, will be evaluated. In addition, comprehensive review articles summarizing the literature on marine anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant agents in support of human health will also be considered.

Prof. Dr. Donatella Degl'Innocenti
Dr. Marzia Vasarri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

• marine organisms
• inflammation
• cytokines
• antioxidant agents
• anti-inflammatory gents
• oxidative stress
• ROS/RNS
• NF-κB
• mitochondrial oxidative
• drug delivery