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Marine Drugs
Special Issues
Seaweeds Secondary Metabolites: Successes in and/or Probable Therapeutic Applications 3.0
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Seaweeds Secondary Metabolites: Successes in and/or Probable Therapeutic Applications 3.0

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 22699

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Diana Cláudia Pinto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: organic chemistry; medicinal chemistry; biotransformations; natural products; plant chemical profile; sustainable chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Seaweed is a natural resource that has been gaining value due to its potential use in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food production. Naturally, academic research to establish that these applications are safe and recommended is welcomed, in particular by the final consumer. One of the most critical aspects of this research is demonstrating the relationship between seaweed properties and their secondary metabolites. 

The prior Special Issues on seaweed secondary metabolites and their therapeutic applications have been a success. We think that more and more researchers are investing in this area, so most probably, more exciting results are being achieved. Therefore, a third Special Issue of Marine Drugs entitled "Seaweeds Secondary Metabolites: Successes in and/or Probable Therapeutic Applications 3.0" makes sense. 

As Guest Editor, I am inviting scientists to submit their latest research findings, review articles in this area, and contribute high-quality manuscripts exploring bioactive compounds from seaweeds and their therapeutic applications. 

Prof. Dr. Diana Cláudia Pinto
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Seaweed
  • Secondary Metabolites
  • Biological Activities
  • Algae
  • Nutritional Supplements
  • Polysaccharides
  • Antioxidants
  • Fucoidan
  • Drug Delivery

Related Special Issues

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2379 KiB  
Article
In Silico Screening of Bioactive Compounds of Representative Seaweeds to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 ACE2-Bound Omicron B.1.1.529 Spike Protein Trimer
by Muruganantham Bharathi, Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi, Periyanaina Kesika, Subramanian Thangaleela and Chaiyavat Chaiyasut
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20020148 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3606
Abstract
Omicron is an emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant, evolved from the Indian delta variant B.1.617.2, which is currently infecting worldwide. The spike glycoprotein, an important molecule in the pathogenesis and transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially omicron B.1.1.529, shows 37 mutations distributed over the trimeric protein [...] Read more.
Omicron is an emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant, evolved from the Indian delta variant B.1.617.2, which is currently infecting worldwide. The spike glycoprotein, an important molecule in the pathogenesis and transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially omicron B.1.1.529, shows 37 mutations distributed over the trimeric protein domains. Notably, fifteen of these mutations reside in the receptor-binding domain of the spike glycoprotein, which may alter transmissibility and infectivity. Additionally, the omicron spike evades neutralization more efficiently than the delta spike. Most of the therapeutic antibodies are ineffective against the omicron variant, and double immunization with BioNTech-Pfizer (BNT162b2) might not adequately protect against severe disease induced by omicron B.1.1.529. So far, no efficient antiviral drugs are available against omicron. The present study identified the promising inhibitors from seaweed’s bioactive compounds to inhibit the omicron variant B.1.1.529. We have also compared the seaweed’s compounds with the standard drugs ceftriaxone and cefuroxime, which were suggested as beneficial antiviral drugs in COVID-19 treatment. Our molecular docking analysis revealed that caffeic acid hexoside (−6.4 kcal/mol; RMSD = 2.382 Å) and phloretin (−6.3 kcal/mol; RMSD = 0.061 Å) from Sargassum wightii (S. wightii) showed the inhibitory effect against the crucial residues ASN417, SER496, TYR501, and HIS505, which are supported for the inviolable omicron and angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor interaction. Cholestan-3-ol, 2-methylene-, (3beta, 5 alpha) (CMBA) (−6.0 kcal/mol; RMSD = 3.074 Å) from Corallina officinalis (C. officinalis) manifested the strong inhibitory effect against the omicron RBD mutated residues LEU452 and ALA484, was magnificently observed as the essential residues in Indian delta variant B.1.617.2 previously. The standard drugs (ceftriaxone and cefuroxime) showed no or less inhibitory effect against RBD of omicron B.1.1.529. The present study also emphasized the pharmacological properties of the considered chemical compounds. The results could be used to develop potent seaweed-based antiviral drugs and/or dietary supplements to treat omicron B.1.1529-infected patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweeds Secondary Metabolites: Successes in and/or Probable Therapeutic Applications 3.0)
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Review

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50 pages, 820 KiB  
Review
Seaweed Components as Potential Modulators of the Gut Microbiota
by Emer Shannon, Michael Conlon and Maria Hayes
Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(7), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19070358 - 23 Jun 2021
Cited by 53 | Viewed by 9710
Abstract
Macroalgae, or seaweeds, are a rich source of components which may exert beneficial effects on the mammalian gut microbiota through the enhancement of bacterial diversity and abundance. An imbalance of gut bacteria has been linked to the development of disorders such as inflammatory [...] Read more.
Macroalgae, or seaweeds, are a rich source of components which may exert beneficial effects on the mammalian gut microbiota through the enhancement of bacterial diversity and abundance. An imbalance of gut bacteria has been linked to the development of disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, immunodeficiency, hypertension, type-2-diabetes, obesity, and cancer. This review outlines current knowledge from in vitro and in vivo studies concerning the potential therapeutic application of seaweed-derived polysaccharides, polyphenols and peptides to modulate the gut microbiota through diet. Polysaccharides such as fucoidan, laminarin, alginate, ulvan and porphyran are unique to seaweeds. Several studies have shown their potential to act as prebiotics and to positively modulate the gut microbiota. Prebiotics enhance bacterial populations and often their production of short chain fatty acids, which are the energy source for gastrointestinal epithelial cells, provide protection against pathogens, influence immunomodulation, and induce apoptosis of colon cancer cells. The oral bioaccessibility and bioavailability of seaweed components is also discussed, including the advantages and limitations of static and dynamic in vitro gastrointestinal models versus ex vivo and in vivo methods. Seaweed bioactives show potential for use in prevention and, in some instances, treatment of human disease. However, it is also necessary to confirm these potential, therapeutic effects in large-scale clinical trials. Where possible, we have cited information concerning these trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweeds Secondary Metabolites: Successes in and/or Probable Therapeutic Applications 3.0)
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24 pages, 1820 KiB  
Review
An Overview to the Health Benefits of Seaweeds Consumption
by Silvia Lomartire, João Carlos Marques and Ana M. M. Gonçalves
Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(6), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19060341 - 15 Jun 2021
Cited by 64 | Viewed by 8485
Abstract
Currently, seaweeds are gaining major attention due to the benefits they give to our health. Recent studies demonstrate the high nutritional value of seaweeds and the powerful properties that seaweeds’ bioactive compounds provide. Species of class Phaeophyceae, phylum Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta possess unique [...] Read more.
Currently, seaweeds are gaining major attention due to the benefits they give to our health. Recent studies demonstrate the high nutritional value of seaweeds and the powerful properties that seaweeds’ bioactive compounds provide. Species of class Phaeophyceae, phylum Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta possess unique compounds with several properties that are potential allies of our health, which make them valuable compounds to be involved in biotechnological applications. In this review, the health benefits given by consumption of seaweeds as whole food or by assumption of bioactive compounds trough natural drugs are highlighted. The use of seaweeds in agriculture is also highlighted, as they assure soils and crops free from chemicals; thus, it is advantageous for our health. The addition of seaweed extracts in food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and industrial companies will enhance the production and consumption/usage of seaweed-based products. Therefore, there is the need to implement the research on seaweeds, with the aim to identify more bioactive compounds, which may assure benefits to human and animal health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweeds Secondary Metabolites: Successes in and/or Probable Therapeutic Applications 3.0)
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