Cyanotherapeutics: an emerging field for future drug discovery

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitously distributed oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes, present even in extreme environments. Many cyanobacteria have been found to be excellent sources of proteins and bioactive compounds. Their cosmopolitan availability, abundant important bioactive compounds and their associated health benefits make cyanobacteria an ideal target for therapeutic applications. Cyanobacteria have a potential role in nutraceutics and are also important in drug development. Several studies have advocated the use of cyanobacteria and their active principles in the treatment of various diseases because cyanobacteria display anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiimmunosuppressive, anti-tumour, neuroprotective, and antiviral activities. Thus, in this review, we have summarized and updated the therapeutic applications of cyanobacteria in drug development, with the introduction of the new term "cyanotherapeutics".

In Vivo and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Less Polar Fractions of Dasycladus vermicularis (Scopoli) Krasser 1898 and the Chemical Composition of Fractions and Macroalga Volatilome

“…The pharmaceutical industry is in a great rise at the global level, which has caused the necessity for new sources of pharmaceutical compounds such as the potential of marine algae. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are well known for their production of antibiotics and active pharmaceutical compounds (API) [1,2]. Despite increasing interest, the economic utilisation of macroalgae for their antioxidant [3,4], anti-tumour [4], and antiviral properties [5] remains in its infancy.…”

Identification and characterization of the novel bioactive compounds from microalgae and cyanobacteria for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications

“…To validate a drug as safe to use in human, clinical trials are generally done in different phase trials to test the effect of drugs in human volunteers and diseased patients. Aquatic algae are the rich source of bioactive compounds portrayed as the “plants of the sea.” Among them, cyanobacteria are the important one involved in many pharmacological properties (antifungal, antibiotic, antimicrobial, immunosuppressant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, anti‐HIV, and antitumor activities) and are rich in various secondary metabolites, enzymes, and vitamins [220].…”

Enveloped Viruses: Pathogenetic Targets for Cyanobacterial Lectins

“…В течение своей эволюции ЦБ стали одними из самых разнообразных и широко распространённых прокариот, занявших множество ниш в наземных, планктонных и донных местообитаниях. Имеющиеся в литературе сведения свидетельствуют о том, что ЦБ использовались человеком примерно с 1500 г. до н. э. для лечения подагры, свищей и рака [4].…”