This review presents a detailed analysis of published research data focused on the pharmacological activity exerted by biologically active compounds isolated from sea cucumbers belonging to the class of Holothuroidea, phylum Echinodermata. The review contains descriptions of the structure, physico-chemical properties and pharmacological effects of these active substances. Particular attention is given to compounds with anticoagulant, antithrombotic, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-infectious, immune-stimulating and anti-ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) activities as well as to the substances exerting a regulating influence on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. All these compounds may be considered as prototypes for development of new pharmaceutical substances and medicines.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051342 | DOI Listing |
Biomolecules
December 2024
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, I-60131 Ancona, Italy.
The misfolding and amyloid aggregation of proteins have been attracting scientific interest for a few decades, due to their link with several diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases. Proteins can assemble and result in insoluble aggregates that, together with intermediate oligomeric species, modify the extracellular environment. Many efforts have been and are devoted to the search for cosolvents and cosolutes able to interfere with amyloid aggregation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMar Drugs
January 2025
Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai 264117, China.
Echinoderms, a diverse group of marine invertebrates including starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, have been recognized as prolific sources of structurally diverse natural products. In the past five years, remarkable progress has been made in the isolation, structural elucidation, and pharmacological assessment of these bioactive compounds. These metabolites, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, steroids, and peptides, demonstrate potent bioactivities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects, providing valuable insights and scaffolds for drug discovery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMar Drugs
December 2024
CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
This review is focused on the research, innovation and technological breakthroughs on marine invertebrate collagens and their applications. The findings reveal that research dates back to the 1970s, and after a period of reduced activity, interest in collagens from several marine invertebrate groups was renewed around 2008, likely driven by the increased commercial interest in these biomolecules of marine origin. Research and development are predominantly reported from China and Japan, highlighting significant research interest in cnidarians (jellyfish), echinoderms (sea cucumbers, sea urchins and starfish), molluscs (squid and cuttlefish) and sponges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZool Res
January 2025
The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China. E-mail:
Feeding behavior is regulated by a complex network of endogenous neuropeptides. In chordates, this role is suggested to be under the control of diverse factors including thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). However, whether this regulatory activity of TRH is functionally conserved in non-chordate metazoans, and to what extent this process is underpinned by interactions of TRH with other neuropeptides such as cholecystokinin (CCK, known as a satiety signal), remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCarbohydr Polym
March 2025
State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, 1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao 266404, China.
Sulfated fucan from sea cucumber has received growing interest in recent decades. Insight into the primary structure of sulfated fucan is fundamental to elucidate their bioactivity. The sea cucumber Holothuria mexicana possesses a high market demand, while the structure of its sulfated fucan (Hm-FUC) remains unclear.
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