The Biodiversity of the Genus Dictyota: Phytochemical and Pharmacological Natural Products Prospectives

Abstract

Although a broad variety of classes of bioactive compounds have already been isolated from seaweeds of the genus Dictyota, most different species are still chemically and biologically unexplored. Dictyota species are well-known brown seaweeds belonging to the Dictyotaceae (Phaeophyta). The phytochemical composition within the genus Dictyota has recently received considerable interest, and a vast array of components, including diterpenes, sesquiterepenes, sterols, amino acids, as well as saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, have been characterized. The contribution of these valued metabolites to the biological potential, which includes anti-proliferative, anti-microbial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperpigmentation activities, of the genus Dictyota has also been explored. Therefore, this is the most comprehensive review, focusing on the published literature relevant to the chemically and pharmacologically diverse biopharmaceuticals isolated from different species of the genus Dictyota during the period from 1976 to now.

A Concise Review on the Potential Applications of Rugulopteryx okamurae Macroalgae

“…Extracts from brown algae species of the genus Dictyota have also demonstrated possible anticancer, antiviral, antifungal, antileishmanial, antitrypanosomal and antioxidant activities [ 48 ]. Another important discovery is associated with the display of antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus [ 53 ].…”

“…As a contribution to the cosmeceutical field, the discovery of the diterpene compound from the D. coriacea species revealed positive anti-melanogenesis effects to be used in case of excess melanin production, which can cause hyperpigmentation in the skin such as freckles and age spots [ 48 , 54 ]. Dermal applications of the genus Dictyota have already been reported in investigations, such as their potential for the treatment of alopecia, but until now, there has been no reports of these compounds being used in the production of cosmetics [ 53 ].…”

“…In the textile industry, Dictyota also plays a role in fabric engineering [ 53 , 55 ], normally used as a binding or thickening material for yarns, promptly reducing yarn tearing during the weaving process [ 55 ].…”

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Applications of Seaweeds

“…revealed a diverse range of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These valuable metabolites contribute to various biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, such as antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperpigmentation properties (Rushdi et al, 2022). Long-chain PUFAs, such as EPA and DHA, are beneficial in various inflammatory pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, and lupus (Yates et al, 2014).…”

“…Pigments, fatty acids (saturated and polyunsaturated), polyphenols, terpenes, polysaccharides, amino acids and proteins, vitamins, sterols, and minerals are some of the natural compounds present in seaweeds distinguished on the basis of highly important biomedical and pharmaceutical values. The chemical structures, contents, and biological effects of these compounds vary significantly within the different taxonomic algal groups and also the included species (e.g., Stengel et al, 2011;Al-Saif et al, 2014;Michalak & Chojnacka, 2015;Korzeniowska et al, 2018;Sathasivam et al, 2019;Rushdi et al, 2022). These natural bioactive compounds attract significant consumer attention due to their lack of toxicity, excellent biocompatibility, and biodegradability into environmentally harmless byproducts (García-Poza et al, 2022).…”