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Silva M, Avni D, Varela J, Barreira L. The Ocean's Pharmacy: Health Discoveries in Marine Algae. Molecules 2024; 29:1900. [PMID: 38675719 PMCID: PMC11055030 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a global health challenge, constituting a major cause of mortality and disease burden in the 21st century. Addressing the prevention and management of NCDs is crucial for improving global public health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies, early interventions, and innovative therapeutic approaches to mitigate their far-reaching consequences. Marine organisms, mainly algae, produce diverse marine natural products with significant therapeutic potential. Harnessing the largely untapped potential of algae could revolutionize drug development and contribute to combating NCDs, marking a crucial step toward natural and targeted therapeutic approaches. This review examines bioactive extracts, compounds, and commercial products derived from macro- and microalgae, exploring their protective properties against oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic diseases, and cancer across in vitro, cell-based, in vivo, and clinical studies. Most research focuses on macroalgae, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, gut health modulation, metabolic health promotion, and anti-cancer effects. Microalgae products also exhibit anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Although studies mainly investigated extracts and fractions, isolated compounds from algae have also been explored. Notably, polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, and terpenes emerge as prominent compounds, collectively representing 42.4% of the investigated compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Silva
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (M.S.); (J.V.)
| | - Dorit Avni
- MIGAL Galilee Institute, Kiryat Shmona 1106000, Israel;
| | - João Varela
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (M.S.); (J.V.)
- Green Colab—Associação Oceano Verde, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Luísa Barreira
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (M.S.); (J.V.)
- Green Colab—Associação Oceano Verde, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
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Lu S, Chu G, Gao C, Zhao Y, Chen W, Jin C, Wang Q, Gao M. Effect of light intensity on nitrogen transformation, enzymatic activity, antioxidant system and transcriptional response of Chlorella pyrenoidosa during treating mariculture wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 397:130465. [PMID: 38373503 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The nitrogen transformation, enzymatic activity, antioxidant ability and transcriptional response of Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa) treating mariculture wastewater were compared under different light intensities. The microalgal growth, chlorophyll synthesis and nitrogen removal ability of C. pyrenoidosa increased with the light intensity from 3000 to 7000 Lux, whereas they slightly decreased under 9000 and 11,000 Lux. The nitrogen metabolism enzymatic activities displayed obvious differences under different light intensities and affected the nitrogen transformation process. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increased with the increase of operational time, whereas it had distinct differences under different light intensities. The changes of antioxidant enzymatic activities were positively correlated with the ROS production. The transcriptional response of C. pyrenoidosa was in accordance with the variation of the photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation and antioxidant system under different light intensities. This study provides theoretical basis and technical support to select suitable light intensity for algae treating mariculture wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuailing Lu
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Guangyu Chu
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Chang Gao
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yangguo Zhao
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Wenzheng Chen
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Chunji Jin
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Qianzhi Wang
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Mengchun Gao
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
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Shen L, Li QQ, Kang YH, Xiang QQ, Luo X, Chen LQ. Metabolomics reveals size-dependent persistence and reversibility of silver nanoparticles toxicity in freshwater algae. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 258:106471. [PMID: 36907725 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been widely reported, the persistence and reversibility of AgNPs toxicity are poorly understood. In the present work, AgNPs with particle sizes of 5 nm, 20 nm, and 70 nm (AgNPs5, AgNPs20, and AgNPs70) were selected to investigate the nanotoxicity and recovery effects of Chlorella vulgaris in the exposure (72 h) and recovery (72 h) stages using non-targeted metabolomics techniques. The exposure of AgNPs exerted size-dependent effects on several aspects of C. vulgaris physiology, including growth inhibition, chlorophyll content, intracellular silver accumulation, and differential expression of metabolites, and most of these adverse effects were reversible. Metabolomics revealed that AgNPs with small sizes (AgNPs5 and AgNPs20) mainly inhibited glycerophospholipid and purine metabolism, and the effects were reversible. In contrast, AgNPs with large sizes (AgNPs70) reduced amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis by inhibiting aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and the effects were irreversible, demonstrating the persistence of nanotoxicity of AgNPs. The size-dependent persistence and reversibility of AgNPs toxicity provides new insights to further understand the mechanisms of toxicity of nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Shen
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Trans-Boundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center for Hydro-Ecology Science & Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Qin Li
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Trans-Boundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center for Hydro-Ecology Science & Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Hang Kang
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Trans-Boundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center for Hydro-Ecology Science & Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Qian Xiang
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Trans-Boundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center for Hydro-Ecology Science & Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Luo
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Trans-Boundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center for Hydro-Ecology Science & Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Qiang Chen
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Trans-Boundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center for Hydro-Ecology Science & Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, People's Republic of China.
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Montuori E, Martinez KA, De Luca D, Ianora A, Lauritano C. Transcriptome Sequencing of the Diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii and In Silico Identification of Enzymes Potentially Involved in the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21020126. [PMID: 36827167 PMCID: PMC9959416 DOI: 10.3390/md21020126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae produce a plethora of primary and secondary metabolites with possible applications in several market sectors, including cosmetics, human nutrition, aquaculture, biodiesel production and treatment/prevention of human diseases. Diatoms, in particular, are the most diversified microalgal group, many species of which are known to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Compounds responsible for these activities are often still unknown. The aim of this study was to de novo sequence the full transcriptome of two strains of the diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii, sampled from two different locations and cultured in both control and phosphate starvation conditions. We used an RNA-sequencing approach to in silico identify transcripts potentially involved in the synthesis/degradation of compounds with anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties. We identified transcript coding for L-asparaginase I, polyketide cyclase/dehydrase, bifunctional polyketide phosphatase/kinase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (fragment), inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase INPP5B/F, catechol O-Methyltransferase, digalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase (DGD1), 1,2-diacylglycerol-3-beta-galactosyltransferase and glycerolphosphodiester phosphodiesterase. Differential expression analysis also allowed to identify in which culturing condition these enzymes are more expressed. Overall, these data give new insights on the annotation of diatom genes, enzymatic pathways involved in the generation of bioactive molecules and possible exploitation of Asterionellopsis thurstonii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Montuori
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Kevin A. Martinez
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele De Luca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Foria 223, 80139 Naples, Italy
| | - Adrianna Ianora
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauritano
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: author:
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Montuori E, Capalbo A, Lauritano C. Marine Compounds for Melanoma Treatment and Prevention. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810284. [PMID: 36142196 PMCID: PMC9499452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is considered a multifactorial disease etiologically divided into melanomas related to sun exposure and those that are not, but also based on their mutational signatures, anatomic site, and epidemiology. The incidence of melanoma skin cancer has been increasing over the past decades with 132,000 cases occurring globally each year. Marine organisms have been shown to be an excellent source of natural compounds with possible bioactivities for human health applications. In this review, we report marine compounds from micro- and macro-organisms with activities in vitro and in vivo against melanoma, including the compound Marizomib, isolated from a marine bacterium, currently in phase III clinical trials for melanoma. When available, we also report active concentrations, cellular targets and mechanisms of action of the mentioned molecules. In addition, compounds used for UV protection and melanoma prevention from marine sources are discussed. This paper gives an overview of promising marine molecules which can be studied more deeply before clinical trials in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Montuori
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy
| | - Anita Capalbo
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauritano
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Acton 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0815833221
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