Marine Natural Products: Promising Candidates in the Modulation of Gut-Brain Axis towards Neuroprotection

Abstract

In recent decades, several neuroprotective agents have been provided in combating neuronal dysfunctions; however, no effective treatment has been found towards the complete eradication of neurodegenerative diseases. From the pathophysiological point of view, growing studies are indicating a bidirectional relationship between gut and brain termed gut-brain axis in the context of health/disease. Revealing the gut-brain axis has survived new hopes in the prevention, management, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, introducing novel alternative therapies in regulating the gut-brain axis seems to be an emerging concept to pave the road in fighting neurodegenerative diseases. Growing studies have developed marine-derived natural products as hopeful candidates in a simultaneous targeting of gut-brain dysregulated mediators towards neuroprotection. Of marine natural products, carotenoids (e.g., fucoxanthin, and astaxanthin), phytosterols (e.g., fucosterol), polysaccharides (e.g., fucoidan, chitosan, alginate, and laminarin), macrolactines (e.g., macrolactin A), diterpenes (e.g., lobocrasol, excavatolide B, and crassumol E) and sesquiterpenes (e.g., zonarol) have shown promising candidate in modulating gut-brain axis. The aforementioned marine natural products are potential regulators of inflammatory, apoptotic, and oxidative stress mediators towards a bidirectional regulation of the gut-brain axis. The present study aims at describing the gut-brain axis, the importance of gut microbiota in neurological diseases, as well as the modulatory role of marine natural products towards neuroprotection.

Algae: Study of Edible and Biologically Active Fractions, Their Properties and Applications

“…There are numerous positive results from biomedical, pharmacological, and other studies demonstrating the high efficiency of the use of algae in the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases associated with disorders of the immune, endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems of animals and humans [ 196 ]. S. platensis has a noticeable therapeutic effect, which is determined by its unique composition: the biomass of spirulina contains easily digestible protein, free essential amino acids, a wide range of trace elements and mineral salts, polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments, etc.…”

Pharmacological Activities of Sulfated Fucose-Rich Polysaccharides after Oral Administration: Perspectives for the Development of New Carbohydrate-Based Drugs

“…When colonized in adequate amounts, they confer a health benefit to the host by modulating several physiological activities [ 87 ]. Gut microbiota degrade polysaccharides and produce short-chain fatty acids, which might play an important role in maintaining the epithelial barrier function, regulating the immune responses and metabolic processes as well as inhibiting tumor development [ 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ]. Models of gut microbe cultivation in vitro provide a convenient way to study the structural modifications of polysaccharides during digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and have already demonstrated a large number of applications in the field of intestinal fermentation of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides [ 92 , 93 ].…”

Investigating the structure-activity relationship of marine polycyclic batzelladine alkaloids as promising inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro)

“…Further five marine derive compounds were introduced to markets and approved as anticancers for treatment of different forms of carcinoma, namely as [Enfortumab Vedotin, (Padcev®, by Astellas Pharma & Seattle Genetics, approved in 2019 )], [Lurbinectedin, (Zepzelca®) by PharmaMar, approved in 2020 ], [Belantamab-Mafodotin-blmf, (Blenrep®) by GSK, approved in 2020 ], [Disitamab Vedotin, (Aidix®) by Remegen Biosciences, approved in 2021 ] and [Tisotumab vedotin-tftv, (Tivdak®) by Seagen, approved in 2021 ] [ [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] ]. Likely, such unique habitat presents thousands of new and novel compounds that are being disclosed each year from different marine organisms like sponges, soft corals, tunicates, algae, and microbes [ [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] ].…”