Marine Natural Products as a Source of Novel Anticancer Agents: A Treasure from the Ocean

One of the most deadly illnesses in the world remains cancer. New drugs with novel modes of action are urgently needed, recently, much work has been done on novel anticancer molecules derived from natural origins, particularly plants, microorganism and marine organisms. Marine natural products are repositories of novel bioactive metabolites containing different classes of bioactive substances and drug leads. This book chapter highlights the influence of marine organisms, with a specific focus on the ocean resources of marine plants, bacteria, algae, fungi, actinomycetes, sponges, soft corals, diatoms and ascidians, calculating above 90% of the overall ocean biomass. The cell lines and preclinical anti-cancerous effects of marine natural products were first introduced; their activity in preventing tumour development and associated compound-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity was addressed. They are taxonomically distinct, having a high degree of efficiency and novel chemical structures that are pharmacologically active, creating tremendous potential for the progress of new anticancer molecules. These molecules have numerous pharmacological potentials, such as antioxidant, anti-tumour and antibacterial. Several marine anticancer agents have recently been extracted, characterized, described and are currently being studied for a clinical study. In this book chapter, we have attempted to assemble knowledge about the anticancer potential of marine products in a diversity of flora and fauna, as well as their probable mechanism of action. The molecular mechanisms that underpin the biological effects are also discussed. Finally, it addresses therapeutic methods and the present use of drugs extracted from the marine source, its future direction and limitations.

Keywords: Anti-Cancer, Bacteria, Bioactive Constituents, Corals, Marine, Marine Herbs, Microorganism, Natural Products, Seaweeds, Sponges.