Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Lab, CFE-Centre for Functional Ecology: Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jan 8;25(2):797. doi: 10.3390/ijms25020797.
Seaweed, a miscellaneous group of marine algae, has long been recognized for its rich nutritional composition and bioactive compounds, being considered nutraceutical ingredient. This revision delves into the promising role of seaweed-derived nutrients as a beneficial resource for drug discovery and innovative product development. Seaweeds are abundant sources of essential vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and unique secondary metabolites, which reveal a wide range of biological activities. These bioactive compounds possess potential therapeutic properties, making them intriguing candidates for drug leads in various medical applications and pharmaceutical drug development. It explores their pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, shedding light on their potential as therapeutic agents. Moreover, the manuscript provides insights into the development of formulation strategies and delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability and stability of seaweed-derived compounds. The manuscript also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of seaweed-based nutrients into the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Regulatory considerations, sustainability, and scalability of sustainable seaweed sourcing and cultivation methods are addressed, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach in harnessing seaweed's potential. This revision underscores the immense potential of seaweed-derived compounds as a valuable reservoir for drug leads and product development. By bridging the gap between marine biology, pharmacology, and product formulation, this research contributes to the critical advancement of sustainable and innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.
海藻是一类海洋藻类的统称，其丰富的营养成分和生物活性化合物使其长期以来一直被认为是营养成分。本修订版深入探讨了海藻衍生营养素作为药物发现和创新产品开发的有益资源的前景。海藻是必需维生素、矿物质、多糖、多酚和独特次生代谢物的丰富来源，这些物质具有广泛的生物活性。这些生物活性化合物具有潜在的治疗特性，使它们成为各种医学应用和药物开发中的药物先导的有吸引力的候选物。本文探讨了它们的药理特性，包括抗氧化、抗炎、抗菌和抗癌活性，揭示了它们作为治疗剂的潜力。此外，本文还介绍了制剂策略和传递系统的开发，以提高海藻衍生化合物的生物利用度和稳定性。本文还讨论了将基于海藻的营养素纳入制药和营养行业所面临的挑战和机遇。讨论了与海洋来源的可持续性和可扩展性相关的监管问题，强调了在利用海藻潜力方面需要采取整体方法。本修订版强调了海藻衍生化合物作为药物先导和产品开发的有价值资源的巨大潜力。通过弥合海洋生物学、药理学和产品配方之间的差距，这项研究为制药和营养行业的可持续和创新解决方案的关键进展做出了贡献。
