Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Engineering, Science and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, Johannesburg 1705, South Africa.
Mar Drugs. 2024 Apr 27;22(5):201. doi: 10.3390/md22050201.
Marine molluscs are of enormous scientific interest due to their astonishing diversity in terms of their size, shape, habitat, behaviour, and ecological roles. The phylum Mollusca is the second most common animal phylum, with 100,000 to 200,000 species, and marine molluscs are among the most notable class of marine organisms. This work aimed to show the importance of marine molluscs as a potential source of nutraceuticals as well as natural medicinal drugs. In this review, the main classes of marine molluscs, their chemical ecology, and the different techniques used for the extraction of bioactive compounds have been presented. We pointed out their nutraceutical importance such as their proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, lipids, polyphenolic compounds pigments, marine enzymes, minerals, and vitamins. Their pharmacological activities include antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. Moreover, certain molluscs like abalones and mussels contain unique compounds with potential medicinal applications, ranging from wound healing to anti-cancer effects. Understanding the nutritional and therapeutic value of marine molluscs highlights their significance in both pharmaceutical and dietary realms, paving the way for further research and utilization in human health.
海洋软体动物因其在大小、形状、栖息地、行为和生态角色方面的惊人多样性而具有巨大的科学意义。软体动物门是第二大常见的动物门，拥有 10 万到 20 万种物种，而海洋软体动物是最著名的海洋生物类群之一。这项工作旨在展示海洋软体动物作为营养保健品和天然药物潜在来源的重要性。在这篇综述中，介绍了海洋软体动物的主要类群、它们的化学生态学以及用于提取生物活性化合物的不同技术。我们指出了它们的营养保健品重要性，如蛋白质、肽、多糖、脂质、多酚化合物、色素、海洋酶、矿物质和维生素。它们的药理活性包括抗菌、抗癌、抗氧化、抗炎和镇痛活性。此外，某些软体动物，如鲍鱼和贻贝，含有具有潜在药用应用的独特化合物，从伤口愈合到抗癌作用。了解海洋软体动物的营养和治疗价值突出了它们在药物和饮食领域的重要性，为人类健康的进一步研究和利用铺平了道路。
