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Marine Drugs
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Research on Marine Compounds and Inflammation
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Research on Marine Compounds and Inflammation

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 9060

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Michela Geminiani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biotechnology Chemistry & Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy
2. SienabioACTIVE, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy
Interests: bioeconomy; sustainability; marine plants; macroalgae; rare diseases; inflammation; post-genomics; omics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although inflammation is an essential biological response to harmful stimuli, chronic inflammation is connected to numerous diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune conditions. Marine ecosystems are a source of bioactive compounds that have potential anti-inflammatory effects that have not yet been explored. The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight the most recent developments in the discovery, characterization, and mechanisms of action of marine-derived anti-inflammatory agents. We welcome original research and review articles focusing on the identification of novel compounds from marine organisms, their biosynthetic pathways, and their molecular targets in inflammatory processes. Studies employing in vitro, in vivo, and omics approaches to elucidate the potential of these compounds are particularly encouraged. Our goal is to bring together cutting-edge research in this field to promote new perspectives on marine natural products as sustainable and effective remedies for inflammation-related diseases.

Dr. Michela Geminiani
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • anti-inflammatory compounds
  • marine bioactive metabolites
  • inflammation
  • bioactive secondary metabolites
  • molecular targets of inflammation
  • marine algae
  • inflammatory pathways

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2301 KB  
Article
Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of a Representative Low-Molecular-Weight Component Isolated from Codium fragile Through Inhibition of the NF-κB Pathway in Microglia and Macrophage Cells
by Gyoyoung Lee, Yezhi Jin, Seul Ah Lee, Sook-Young Lee, Hwan Lee, Zisheng Nan, Chi-Su Yoon and Dong-Sung Lee
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24010038 - 13 Jan 2026
Viewed by 830
Abstract
The worldwide incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (ND), such as dementia, has increased, and neuroinflammation is considered a crucial factor in the development of ND. Codium fragile is considered ocean waste in many countries; however, some countries, including Korea, consume it as a food [...] Read more.
The worldwide incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (ND), such as dementia, has increased, and neuroinflammation is considered a crucial factor in the development of ND. Codium fragile is considered ocean waste in many countries; however, some countries, including Korea, consume it as a food resource. In this study, a major low-molecular-weight component and chemical marker, uracil, was isolated from the aqueous extracts of C. fragile (AECF); additionally, its content was measured through HPLC quantitative analysis. AECF and uracil were examined for their anti-inflammatory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia and RAW264.7 macrophage cell lines under inflammation conditions. The results showed that AECF and uracil inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Marine Compounds and Inflammation)
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21 pages, 7991 KB  
Article
Synergistic Protective Effects of Haematococcus pluvialis-Derived Astaxanthin and Walnut Shell Polyphenols Against Particulate Matter (PM)2.5-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation
by Hyun Kang, Jae-Ho Choi and Sung-Gyu Lee
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(12), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23120473 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1178
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter (PM) triggers oxidative stress and inflammation in pulmonary tissues, contributing to chronic respiratory diseases. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of a combined extract of Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) and walnut shell (HW extract) and its protective [...] Read more.
Airborne particulate matter (PM) triggers oxidative stress and inflammation in pulmonary tissues, contributing to chronic respiratory diseases. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of a combined extract of Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) and walnut shell (HW extract) and its protective efficacy against PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation. Extracts mixed at different ratios (10:0–0:10, w/w) were tested using 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, cell-based assays, HPLC quantification, molecular docking, and a PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation mouse model. The optimized 6:4 mixture showed the strongest antioxidant activity (RC50 = 0.61 ± 0.14 μg/mL) and significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression without cytotoxicity. HPLC confirmed the presence of astaxanthin (1.714 μg/mg) and quercetin (0.722 μg/mg). Docking simulations indicated strong COX-2 binding affinities (−9.501 and −8.753 kcal/mol) through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. In vivo, HW extract reduced leukocyte infiltration, serum IL-6 levels, and pulmonary expression of COX-2, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) while improving alveolar structure. These results suggest that HW extract exerts synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions via dual-site COX-2 modulation, providing a promising natural therapeutic approach for mitigating PM2.5-induced respiratory inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Marine Compounds and Inflammation)
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21 pages, 2879 KB  
Article
Undaria pinnatifida Fucoidan Enhances Gut Microbiome, Butyrate Production, and Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in an In Vitro Short-Term SHIME® Coupled to a Caco-2/THP-1 Co-Culture Model
by Barbara C. Wimmer, Corinna Dwan, Jelle De Medts, Cindy Duysburgh, Chloë Rotsaert and Massimo Marzorati
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(6), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23060242 - 4 Jun 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4381
Abstract
Fucoidans have demonstrated a wide range of bioactivities including immune modulation and benefits in gut health. To gain a deeper understanding on the effects of fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (UPF) on the colonic microbiome, the short-term Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem [...] Read more.
Fucoidans have demonstrated a wide range of bioactivities including immune modulation and benefits in gut health. To gain a deeper understanding on the effects of fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (UPF) on the colonic microbiome, the short-term Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem®, a validated in vitro gut model, was applied. Following a three-week intervention period on adult faecal samples from three healthy donors, microbial community activity of the colonic microbiota was assessed by quantifying short-chain fatty acids while composition was analysed utilising 16S-targeted Illumina sequencing. Metagenomic data were used to describe changes in community structure. To assess the secretion of cytokines, co-culture experiments using Caco-2 and THP1-Blue™ cells were performed. UPF supplementation over a three-week period had a profound butyrogenic effect while also enriching colonic microbial diversity, consistently stimulating saccharolytic genera, and reducing genera linked with potentially negative health effects in both regions of the colon. Mild immune modulatory effects of UPF were also observed. Colonic fermentation of UPF showed anti-inflammatory properties by inducing the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 in two out of three donors in the proximal and distal colon. In conclusion, UPF supplementation may provide significant gut health benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Marine Compounds and Inflammation)
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Review

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35 pages, 2438 KB  
Review
Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Attenuate the Severity of Obesity-Associated White Adipose Tissue and Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction
by Ala Alzubi, Alyssa Lucchesi, Jessie L. Burns, Clara E. Cho, David W. L. Ma, Lindsay E. Robinson and Jennifer M. Monk
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(5), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24050166 - 6 May 2026
Viewed by 1009
Abstract
Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder defined by a body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2, excess adipose tissue accumulation, chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, leading to increased susceptibility to other chronic conditions. Evidence from both mechanistic pre-clinical studies and [...] Read more.
Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder defined by a body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2, excess adipose tissue accumulation, chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, leading to increased susceptibility to other chronic conditions. Evidence from both mechanistic pre-clinical studies and human clinical trial suggests a role for long-chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), to modulate obesity-associated outcomes and attenuate the production of inflammatory mediators, namely adipokines from adipose tissue and myokines from skeletal muscle, that can mitigate inflammation-associated metabolic dysfunction. Therefore, this narrative review synthesizes evidence and mechanistic insights on the role(s) of n-3 PUFA in regulating obesity-associated changes in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle inflammation and immune cell trafficking and metabolic outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Marine Compounds and Inflammation)
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33 pages, 2772 KB  
Review
Marine Polysaccharides Modulating the Gut Microbiota-Immune Axis in Digestive Tract Tumors: An Update
by Lisheng Wang, Danni Gao, Xi Chen and Yitao Chen
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(5), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24050148 - 23 Apr 2026
Viewed by 960
Abstract
Digestive tract tumors represent a predominant contributor to the global public health burden, with conventional therapeutic modalities experiencing inherent limitations and immunotherapy being impeded by the immunosuppressive property and heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This makes the gut microbiota–immune axis a promising [...] Read more.
Digestive tract tumors represent a predominant contributor to the global public health burden, with conventional therapeutic modalities experiencing inherent limitations and immunotherapy being impeded by the immunosuppressive property and heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This makes the gut microbiota–immune axis a promising therapeutic target. Marine polysaccharides, endowed with distinctive structural characteristics, exhibit potential in the modulation of this regulatory axis, yet their structure–activity relationships (SARs) and the intrinsic limitations in delivery efficiency remain largely unelucidated. In this review, we systematically synthesized the latest research advances pertaining to the modulation of the gut microbiota–immune axis by marine polysaccharides in digestive tract tumors, in accordance with the logical framework of polysaccharide structure, flora regulation, immune activation, tumor inhibition, and delivery optimization. We elaborated on the bidirectional crosstalk between the gut microbiota and the immune axis during tumorigenesis, as well as the regulatory effects and core underlying mechanisms of marine polysaccharides derived from algal, animal and microbial sources on this axis, including targeted floral regulation, microbiota-mediated immune activation, and direct/indirect tumor suppression. We also analyzed the key structural determinants and structural modification strategies of marine polysaccharides, alongside the development of nanodelivery systems for the improvement of their oral bioavailability. Furthermore, we identified critical existing research gaps, such as the ambiguous SARs and poor oral bioavailability of marine polysaccharides, and propose the integration of multi-omics analysis, synthetic biology technology and advanced nanodelivery strategies as the core future research directions in this field. Collectively, marine polysaccharides hold tremendous promise as novel therapeutic agents for digestive tract tumors, and interdisciplinary collaboration is regarded as indispensable for their successful clinical translation and translational application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Marine Compounds and Inflammation)
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