Pharmacognosy of marine natural products: Potential for drug discovery

Abstract

Marine natural products (MNPs) are gaining significant attention in drug discovery due to their unparalleled chemical diversity and potent bioactivity. Derived from the vast biodiversity of marine ecosystems, including bacteria, fungi, algae, and invertebrates, MNPs offer novel molecular scaffolds and mechanisms of action, making them promising candidates for therapeutic development. Clinically successful drugs such as ziconotide, trabectedin, and cytarabine exemplify the therapeutic potential of marine-derived compounds, particularly in anticancer, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective applications.Despite their immense promise, challenges persist in the exploration and utilization of MNPs. These include limited accessibility to underexplored habitats like deep-sea ecosystems, sustainability concerns regarding resource extraction, and technical hurdles in isolating and synthesizing complex bioactive compounds. Legal and ethical complexities surrounding biodiversity laws and intellectual property rights further complicate marine pharmacognosy. Advancements in synthetic biology, genomic sequencing, and bioinformatics are enabling innovative solutions to these challenges, facilitating the identification, characterization, and sustainable production of marine bioactive compounds. Interdisciplinary collaborations and public-private partnerships are essential for translating MNP discoveries into viable clinical applications. The field of marine pharmacognosy represents an underutilized yet transformative avenue for addressing unmet medical needs. By leveraging emerging technologies and sustainable practices, researchers can unlock the vast potential of MNPs, paving the way for novel therapeutics that address global health challenges.