Marine Plant Metabolites as a Source of Novel Bioactive Agents: Isolation and Applications

Dear Colleague,

Marine plants represent a highly diverse assemblage of photosynthetic organisms uniquely adapted to aquatic environments, including oceans and seas. Their morphological and physiological adaptations vary widely, with some species remaining fully submerged, while others develop extensive emergent structures. This group comprises both algae and vascular plants, each contributing distinctly to the structural and functional integrity of marine ecosystems. These organisms are pivotal for sustaining ecological balance, enhancing water oxygenation, providing essential trophic resources, and offering refuge for smaller, more vulnerable marine fauna.

In addition to their ecological significance, marine plants are increasingly recognized as a rich source of bioactive metabolites, biofuels, and non-energy bioproducts. The combination of their adaptation to extreme or unique environmental conditions and high species diversity makes them an exceptional reservoir of structurally novel compounds with potential therapeutic applications. This Special Issue seeks to highlight cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews on innovative strategies for the extraction, isolation, and characterization of marine plant-derived metabolites capable of selectively modulating pharmacological targets, thereby facilitating the translation of these natural products into drug candidates suitable for clinical evaluation. Prospective authors are invited to submit a preliminary abstract to verify alignment with the scope and objectives of this Special Issue.

Dr. Francesco Balestri
Dr. Francesca Felice
Guest Editors

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