Application of Marine Natural Products against Alzheimer’s Disease: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease, is one of the most intractable illnesses which affects the elderly. Clinically manifested as various impairments in memory, language, cognition, visuospatial skills, executive function, etc., the symptoms gradually aggravated over time. The drugs currently used clinically can slow down the deterioration of AD and relieve symptoms but cannot completely cure them. The drugs are mainly acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) and non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NDMAR) antagonists. The pathogenesis of AD is inconclusive, but it is often associated with the expression of beta-amyloid. Abnormal deposition of amyloid and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the brain have been key targets for past, current, and future drug development for the disease. At present, researchers are paying more and more attention to excavate natural compounds which can be effective against Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative pathologies. Marine natural products have been demonstrated to be the most prospective candidates of these compounds, and some have presented significant neuroprotection functions. Consequently, we intend to describe the potential effect of bioactive compounds derived from marine organisms, including polysaccharides, carotenoids, polyphenols, sterols and alkaloids as drug candidates, to further discover novel and efficacious drug compounds which are effective against AD.

In Vitro Permeability Study of Homotaurine Using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection Pre-Column Derivatization Method

“…This phenomenon is consistent with the established characteristics of these compounds. Homotaurine, with its lower molecular weight [27] and lower lipophilicity [28], offers favorable attributes for permeation across biological barriers. In contrast, memantine, classified as a BCS class III compound with high solubility but low permeability, exhibits a relatively lower permeation rate.…”

Unraveling the Anti-Aging Properties of Phycocyanin from the Cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)

“…The major health problems observed all over the world are often associated with age since people are living longer [1]. In recent years, marine natural products have become one of the most important sources of new compounds potentially useful in the treatment of age-related diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and many others [2][3][4][5]. Spirulina (cyanobacteria: Arthrospira platensis) is a photosynthetic Gram-negative filamentous bacterium that grows naturally in alkaline, brackish, marine and fresh waters [6], but it is also commercially produced in large outdoor or greenhouse ponds under controlled conditions [7].…”

Structural Insights into the Marine Alkaloid Discorhabdin G as a Scaffold towards New Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

“…The combination of good AChE inhibitory activity, the absence of possible side effects on the peripheral neuromuscular system, and the preliminary identification of the putative pharmacophore moiety make the most active discorhabdin G a promising lead for further investigations. Our research in this direction was also encouraged by a recent report on the use of marine compounds to treat neurodegenerative diseases, which has been defined as both an opportunity and a challenge [6].…”