This work, citing 90 sources from publications between 1974 and early 2023, details 226 metabolites.
Due to their rapid increase in prevalence over the past three decades, obesity and diabetes have become a significant concern for healthcare professionals. The persistent energy imbalance inherent in obesity is a severe metabolic problem, marked by insulin resistance and strongly correlating with the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Treatments for these diseases are available, but frequently present side effects and require FDA approval, a significant challenge for underdeveloped nations, which find them expensive. Subsequently, the demand for naturally-derived anti-obesity and anti-diabetic medications has increased significantly in recent years, due to their lower prices and their minimal or non-existent side effects. Various experimental settings were used in this thorough review to analyze the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of different marine macroalgae and their active compounds. This review confirms that seaweeds and their bioactive substances display considerable promise for mitigating obesity and diabetes, as evidenced by laboratory and live-animal experiments (in vitro and in vivo). Although this is the case, the clinical trial count focused on this area remains limited. Henceforth, further clinical trials focusing on the effects of marine algal extracts and their bioactive components are required to create anti-obesity and anti-diabetic medications with improved effectiveness and fewer or no side effects.
Two peptides (1-2), characterized by linear structure and an abundance of proline, and marked by an N-terminal pyroglutamate, were isolated from the marine bacterium Microbacterium sp. The volcanic CO2 vents on Ischia Island (southern Italy) yielded a specimen of V1, which is associated with the marine sponge Petrosia ficiformis. Peptide generation commenced at a low temperature, employing the one-strain, many-compounds (OSMAC) strategy. Via an integrated, untargeted MS/MS-based molecular networking and cheminformatic approach, other peptides (3-8) were detected together with both peptides. The planar structure of the peptides was determined using extensive 1D and 2D NMR and HR-MS analysis; this was followed by the deduction of the aminoacyl residues' stereochemistry using Marfey's analysis. Peptides 1 through 8 are anticipated to be the product of the tailored proteolysis of tryptone by the Microbacterium V1. The ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay confirmed the antioxidant function of peptides 1 and 2.
The sustainable production of bioactive compounds from Arthrospira platensis biomass benefits the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors. The distinct enzymatic breakdown of biomass results in the generation of diverse secondary metabolites, as well as primary metabolites. Biomass was treated with (i) Alcalase, (ii) Flavourzyme, (iii) Ultraflo, and (iv) Vinoflow (all enzymes from Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), resulting in different hydrophilic extracts being obtained. These extracts were then separated using an isopropanol/hexane solvent mixture. A comparison of the amino acid, peptide, oligo-element, carbohydrate, and phenol compositions, along with their in vitro functional properties, was performed for each aqueous phase extract. Using Alcalase, the conditions specified in this work support the extraction of eight different peptides. The extract obtained through prior enzyme biomass digestion is 73 times more effective at lowering blood pressure, 106 times more effective in reducing triglycerides, 26 times more effective in lowering cholesterol levels, 44 times more potent in neutralizing harmful oxidants, and contains 23 times more phenols than the extract lacking this pretreatment. Alcalase extract is a product with significant promise for use in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and the cosmetic sector.
In the Metazoa kingdom, C-type lectins are a widely conserved family of lectins. These molecules display a substantial range of functional variations, impacting the immune system in critical ways, primarily functioning as pathogen recognition receptors. Our analysis of C-type lectin-like proteins (CTLs) across diverse metazoan groups revealed a pronounced expansion in bivalve mollusks, a notable distinction from the more limited repertoires observed in other mollusk groups, including cephalopods. Orthology analyses indicated that these enhanced repertoires included CTL subfamilies, conserved within the Mollusca or Bivalvia, and lineage-specific subfamilies, exhibiting orthology restricted to closely related species. Transcriptomic studies illuminated the critical contribution of bivalve subfamilies to mucosal immunity, characterized by prominent expression in the digestive gland and gills, and responsive modulation to specific stimuli. Proteins featuring both CTL domains and extra domains (CTLDcps) were also investigated, revealing gene families with variable levels of CTL domain conservation in orthologous proteins from different taxonomic groups. Revealed were unique bivalve CTLDcps possessing specific domain architectures, which correspond to uncharacterized proteins, possibly involved in the immune response as indicated by their transcriptomic modulation. This aligns them with intriguing targets for future functional studies.
Human skin needs further reinforcement against the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, in the range of 280 to 400 nanometers, and thus additional protection is necessary. The causation of skin cancer involves DNA damage stemming from harmful ultraviolet radiation exposure. Sun protection offered by chemical sunscreens is limited but effective to a point. Furthermore, many synthetic sunscreens are deficient in providing sufficient protection against ultraviolet radiation, originating from the low photostability of their UV-absorbing components and/or their inability to prevent the generation of free radicals, ultimately leading to skin harm. Additionally, synthetic sunscreens might have a detrimental effect on human skin, leading to irritation, accelerating the aging process, and potentially causing allergic reactions. The potential detrimental effects on human health are not the only concern regarding synthetic sunscreens; their adverse impact on the environment must also be considered. Thus, securing photostable, biodegradable, non-toxic, and renewable natural UV filters is vital to safeguard human health and establish a lasting sustainable environmental solution. Photoprotective mechanisms, including the synthesis of UV-absorbing compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), safeguard marine, freshwater, and terrestrial organisms from harmful ultraviolet radiation in their respective environments. Natural UV-absorbing products, apart from MAAs, hold substantial promise for the future development of natural sunscreens. This review delves into the detrimental impact of ultraviolet radiation on human health, and the crucial role of sunscreen in UV protection, specifically highlighting the advantages of natural, UV-absorbing products over synthetic filters from an environmental perspective. Heparan ic50 Evaluated are the critical difficulties and boundaries connected with the integration of MAAs into sunscreen formulations. We also explore how genetic diversity in MAA biosynthetic pathways might correlate with their bioactivities, and assess the possible applications of MAAs in human health contexts.
To understand the anti-inflammatory potential of diterpenoids, this study examined the various classes produced by the Rugulopteryx genus of algae. Isolated from the extract of Rugulopteryx okamurae, collected from the southwestern Spanish coasts, were sixteen diterpenoids (1-16), featuring spatane, secospatane, prenylcubebane, and prenylkelsoane metabolites. Spectral methods were employed to determine the structures of eight newly isolated diterpenoids, comprising the spatanes okaspatols A-D (1-4), the secospatane rugukamural D (8), the prenylcubebanes okacubols A and B (13 and 14), and okamurol A (16), which exhibits a unique kelsoane-type tricyclic diterpenoid structure. Anti-inflammatory evaluations were then performed on Bv.2 microglial cells and RAW 2647 macrophage cells. Compounds 1, 3, 6, 12, and 16 demonstrably hindered the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) prompted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Bv.2 cells; concurrently, compounds 3, 5, 12, 14, and 16 substantially lowered NO concentrations in LPS-activated RAW 2647 cells. The compound demonstrating the most pronounced activity was okaspatol C (3), completely suppressing the consequence of LPS stimulation in both Bv.2 and RAW 2647 cells.
Due to chitosan's positively charged polymer structure, and its inherently biodegradable and non-toxic nature, its use as a flocculant has garnered significant attention. Despite this, most research efforts are confined to the domain of microalgae and wastewater treatment applications. Heparan ic50 This study reveals the potential of chitosan as an organic flocculant to obtain lipids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA-rich Aurantiochytrium sp.). SW1 cells were scrutinized through the correlation of flocculation parameters, including chitosan concentration, molecular weight, medium pH, culture age, and cell density, to evaluate flocculation efficiency and zeta potential. A pronounced correlation was seen between pH and harvesting effectiveness, escalating from 3. Flocculation efficiency surpassing 95% was observed with a 0.5 g/L chitosan concentration at pH 6, where the zeta potential was nearly zero (326 mV). Heparan ic50 The flocculation efficiency is unaffected by the culture's age or the chitosan's molecular weight; however, an increase in cell density results in a decrease in flocculation efficiency. This is the first research to successfully identify chitosan as a potential replacement for existing harvesting techniques used in the process of isolating thraustochytrid cells.
The clinically approved drug Histochrome's active agent is echinochrome A, a marine bioactive pigment isolated from various sea urchin species. EchA's poor water solubility and sensitivity to oxidation necessitate its current formulation as an isotonic solution of its di- and tri-sodium salts.