*1.2. Marine-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Drugs*

Chronic inflammatory conditions pose a major burden on our healthcare system, despite the availability of several synthetic compounds used for the management of these conditions. Over the past decade, the research and development of model systems and evaluation of the efficacy of various compounds have led to the identification of several anti-inflammatory compounds from natural origins [22–24]. Marine sources produce a vastly diverse range of bioactive compounds, several of which possess anti-inflammatory potential. Indeed, anti-inflammatory compounds have been derived from marine microorganisms such as seaweeds, corals, and algae [25]. These fall into several classes of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential for several chronic inflammatory conditions. For example, marine alkaloids from a diverse range of marine organisms have been evaluated for their potential anti-inflammatory activity [26]. Another class of marine compounds act as inhibitors of NF-κB, a mediator that is activated in the inflammation process [27]. Pigments from various marine organisms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory

activity and can be used in the management of chronic inflammation [28,29]. For instance, Echinochrome A (EchA, a pigment isolated from sea urchin), briaviodiol A (a cembranoid from a soft coral), and cucumarioside A2 (a triterpene glycoside from sea cucumbers) have been shown to suppress inflammation via the reprogramming of macrophages from M1 to M2 [30]. Seaweeds are classically used as food supplements and have great potential as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds [31,32]. Overall, because of the diversity of classes of bioactive compounds from marine sources with potential applications as anti-inflammatory agents, there is a need to comprehensively catalogue these resources.

Over the past few decades, attempts have been made to isolate and purify biologically active compounds with potent anti-inflammatory activity from different marine sources. However, very few compounds have been selected for clinical trials and even fewer have reached the market. Despite this low success rate, the hunt for new anti-inflammatory compounds from the diverse marine environment continues. Recently, Li et al. reviewed the anti-inflammatory metabolites from marine organisms such as sponges and corals but did not include larger organisms such as sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and starfish [25]. In this review article, we describe promising anti-inflammatory compounds and crude extracts isolated from echinoderms such as sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and starfish and review their potential molecular mechanisms of action in an effort to shed light on the current state of the research on anti-inflammatory compounds from echinoderms.
