Marine Anti-inflammatory Agents

Dear Colleagues,

Acute inflammation is a highly-regulated process, and its dysregulation can lead to the development of a chronic inflammatory state, which is believed to play a main role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer. The molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammation are beginning to be elucidated: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate intracellular signaling pathways and transcription factors, including MAPK and NF-kB. ROS can also activate a multiprotein complex called inflammasome, which regulates the activation of caspase-1 and subsequent maturation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18). The transcription factor Nrf2 plays a key role in the protection against oxidative stress in numerous inflammatory diseases since it regulates the transcription of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the participation of sirtuins, such as SIRT1 and SIRT6 and autophagy in this process is currently being studied.

In recent years, the need to find new anti-inflammatory molecules has raised the scientific community´s interest for marine natural products. In this regard, the marine environment represents an excellent source to isolate bioactive compounds from microbes, such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, algae or small invertebrates, such as sponges, tunicates, bryozoans and mollusks. This Special Issue of Marine Drugs will cover the entire scope of marine agents with anti-inflammatory activities, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the latest status of clinical development from drug trials. In particular, works that evaluate molecular mechanisms of these compounds are especially encouraged.

Prof.  Elena Talero
Dr. Javier Avila
Guest Editors

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