Immunomodulatory Compounds from the Sea: From the Origins to a Modern Marine Pharmacopoeia
Edoardo Andrea Cutolo,
Rosanna Campitiello,
Roberto Caferri,
Vittorio Flavio Pagliuca,
Jian Li,
Spiros Nicolas Agathos,
Maurizio Cutolo
Affiliations
Edoardo Andrea Cutolo
Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Bioenergy, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
Rosanna Campitiello
Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Roberto Caferri
Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Bioenergy, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
Vittorio Flavio Pagliuca
Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Bioenergy, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
Jian Li
Qingdao Innovation and Development Base, Harbin Engineering University, No. 1777 Sansha Road, Qingdao 150001, China
Spiros Nicolas Agathos
Qingdao Innovation and Development Base, Harbin Engineering University, No. 1777 Sansha Road, Qingdao 150001, China
Maurizio Cutolo
Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
From sea shores to the abysses of the deep ocean, marine ecosystems have provided humanity with valuable medicinal resources. The use of marine organisms is discussed in ancient pharmacopoeias of different times and geographic regions and is still deeply rooted in traditional medicine. Thanks to present-day, large-scale bioprospecting and rigorous screening for bioactive metabolites, the ocean is coming back as an untapped resource of natural compounds with therapeutic potential. This renewed interest in marine drugs is propelled by a burgeoning research field investigating the molecular mechanisms by which newly identified compounds intervene in the pathophysiology of human diseases. Of great clinical relevance are molecules endowed with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties with emerging applications in the management of chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Here, we review the historical development of marine pharmacology in the Eastern and Western worlds and describe the status of marine drug discovery. Finally, we discuss the importance of conducting sustainable exploitation of marine resources through biotechnology.
