Marine natural products and human immunity: Novel biomedical resources
for anti-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and related cardiovascular disease
Abstract
Major marine natural products (MNPs) and marine organisms include sea
urchin, sea squirts or ascidians, sea cucumbers, sea snake, sponge, soft
coral, marine algae, and microalgae. As vital biomedical resources for
the discovery of marine drugs, bioactive molecules, and agents for
treatment of infectious diseases and major non-communicable diseases
(mNCDs), these MNPs have bioactive potentials of antioxidant,
anti-infection, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, anti-diabetic effects,
cancer treatment, and improvement of human immunity. This article
reviews MNPs as huge and novel biomedical resources for anti-infection
of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and its major variants (such as Delta and
Omicron), as well tuberculosis, H. Pylori, and HIV infection, and as
promising biomedical resources for infection related cardiovascular
disease (irCVD), diabetes, and cancer. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms
of current MNPs against SARS-CoV-2 infection are also involved.
Moreover, since the use of other chemical agents for COVID-19 treatment
are associated with some adverse effects in cardiovascular system, MNPs
have more therapeutic advantages. Herein, it’s time to protect this
ecosystem for better sustainable development in the new era of ocean
economy, since MNPs are indeed huge, novel and promising biomedical
resources for anti-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its major variants as
well as irCVD. The novel potential mechanisms may be through multiple
targets and pathways regulating human immunity and inhibiting
inflammation. In short, MNPs are worthy of translational research for
further clinical application.