Exploring the global animal biodiversity in the search for new drugs - insects

Abstract

Substances from terrestrial plants and marine organisms have since long been recognized as important sources of bioactive substances. This has led to the development of a large variety of drugs to treat human diseases such as, among others, a number of antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, cardiovascular, antibiotic, and antineoplastic agents. More recently, the amazing biodiversity represented by the myriad of insect species has been realized to produce an equally exceptional source of bioactive chemicals with therapeutic potential. Many of these compounds serve as highly effective defensive and predatory chemicals and have enabled insects to survive for hundreds of millions of years and to diversify to the countless different species known today. As some of these chemicals possess meaningful pharmacological properties, they represent interesting candidates for new drug discovery and development programs. A few examples are substances with microcidal, cytotoxic, cytolytic, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, or anticoagulant qualities. This paper addresses the significance of bioactive compounds from insects as lead compounds for producing new therapeutics.

Exploring the global animal biodiversity in the search for new drugs - Reptiles

“…Similarly to those from many invertebrates [333][334][335] and amphibians [336], the exploration of bioactive compounds from reptiles may yield structurally novel and mechanistically unique lead compounds for developing breakthrough medicines. This paper has lifted a corner of the veil, reviewing the opportunities for the development of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs as well as wound healing-promoting, antileishmanial, antiviral, immunomodulating antimicrobial, and anticancer compounds from various species, genera, or families of reptiles.…”

Multifaceted activity of millipede secretions: Antioxidant, antineurodegenerative, and anti-Fusarium effects of the defensive secretions of Pachyiulus hungaricus (Karsch, 1881) and Megaphyllum unilineatum (C. L. Koch, 1838) (Diplopoda: Julida)

“…Even though it is widely accepted that plant and fungal extracts are the main natural sources of different bioactive compounds, today many animal species have become a focal point in the search for new biomolecules with promising properties [30,31]. In that regard, many invertebrates, especially arthropods, have been considered a promising source of various compounds capable of reducing the harmful effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS), either as food or as therapeutic products [32,33].…”

Gut microbiome–immune system interaction in reptiles

“…Reptiles belong to the Animalia kingdom, Chordata phylum, Reptilia class and Sauropsida clade. The Reptilia class comprises four orders: turtles and tortoises (Testudines), tuataras (Rhynochocephalia), snakes and lizards (Squamata) and crocodilans (Crocodilia) (Mans et al, 2021; Modesto et al, 2004).…”

“…Reptiles belong to the class Reptilia that consists of crocodilians, turtles, snakes, lizards, amphisbaenians and tuatara. Approximately 11,570 different species of reptiles, and 2192 subspecies were described in 2021 and this list is continually growing (Mans et al, 2021; reptile‐database.org; Uetz, 2016). Reptiles belong to the Animalia kingdom, Chordata phylum, Reptilia class and Sauropsida clade.…”