Marine DrugsPub Date : 2025-02-03DOI: 10.3390/md23020065
Fan Zhang, Wenhui Wang, Doug R Braun, Gene E Ananiev, Weiting Liao, Mary Kay Harper, Scott R Rajski, Tim S Bugni
{"title":"Isolation, Structure Elucidation and Biological Evaluation of Lomaiviticins F-H, Dimeric Benzofluorene Glycosides from Marine-Derived <i>Micromonospora</i> sp. Bacterium.","authors":"Fan Zhang, Wenhui Wang, Doug R Braun, Gene E Ananiev, Weiting Liao, Mary Kay Harper, Scott R Rajski, Tim S Bugni","doi":"10.3390/md23020065","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The discovery of new natural products remains a cornerstone of therapeutic innovation, and effective analytical tools for rapid dereplication can significantly accelerate this process. Using Isotopic Fine Structure (IFS) mass spectrometry, we rapidly identified three new dimeric benzofluorene glycosides, lomaiviticins F-H (<b>1</b>-<b>3</b>), from a marine-derived <i>Micromonospora</i> sp. bacterium. These compounds were isolated and structurally elucidated through advanced spectroscopic techniques, including FT-ICR-MS and NMR. Lomaiviticins F-H exhibit unique structural features, notably the 4-<i>O</i>-methyl-l-angolosamine moieties, which differentiate them from previously known lomaiviticins A-E. The discovery of these compounds highlights distinct biosynthetic linkages within the lomaiviticin family, particularly the C2-C2' conjoining bonds characteristic of the dimers. Compounds <b>1</b>-<b>3</b> were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines; the resulting IC<sub>50</sub> values confirmed that the dimeric diazofluorenes of lomaiviticins A and B are critical for anticancer activity. These findings emphasize the utility of IFS in expediting natural product discovery while providing valuable insights into structural and functional characterizations of bioactive compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857394/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Structural Characterization and Anticoagulant Potential of <i>Colochirus quadrangularis</i> Fucosylated Glycosaminoglycan 5-12 Oligomers with Unusual Branches.","authors":"Xuedong Zhang, Guangwei Yan, Xinming Liu, Jiewen Fu, Xiang Shi, Pei Cao, Yuqian Sun, Shengping Zhong, Jiale Nong, Peiqi Jiang, Yonghong Liu, Baoshun Zhang, Qingxia Yuan, Longyan Zhao","doi":"10.3390/md23020064","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The depolymerized products and oligosaccharide fractions from sea cucumber fucosylated glycosaminoglycans (FGs) are promising anticoagulant candidates, and more novel FG-derived oligosaccharides from low-priced sea cucumbers are expected to be obtained. This study isolated 5-12 oligomers (OF1-OF3) with unusual branches from β-eliminative depolymerized products of <i>Colochirus quadrangularis</i> FG (CqFG). Detailed NMR analyses showed that OF1-OF3 consisted of a chondroitin 4,6-sulfates backbone and some sulfated fucosyl branches (FucS), including monosaccharides (α-l-Fuc<sub>2S4S</sub>, α-l-Fuc<sub>3S</sub>, α-l-Fuc<sub>4S</sub>, α-l-Fuc<sub>2S3S4S</sub>, and α-l-Fuc<sub>2S</sub>) and a disaccharide D-Gal<sub>3S4S</sub>-α1,3-l-Fuc<sub>2S4S</sub> with the ratio of ~36:35:10:7:3:9, attached to the C-3 position of β-d-GlcA or its derivatives, such as α-l-Δ4,5GlcA and β-d-GlcA-ol. Unusually, α-l-Fuc<sub>3S</sub> was the main FucS branch; no α-l-Fuc<sub>3S4S</sub> branch was found, and α-l-Fuc<sub>2S3S4S</sub> and α-l-Fuc<sub>2S</sub> branches were also found in OF1-OF3. The OF2 and OF3 could strongly inhibit the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways. Intrinsic FXase is a target of OF2 and OF3 inhibiting the intrinsic coagulation pathways, and the unusual side chains may increase the intrinsic FXase inhibitory activity. OF2 and OF3 showed negligible bleeding risk, and less bleeding than heparin (HP), low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), and CqFG. These findings support novel FG oligosaccharides with some unusual branches from low-priced sea cucumbers to be prepared as safer anticoagulants.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857587/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine DrugsPub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.3390/md23020063
Yu-Mei Wang, Ming-Xue Ge, Su-Zhen Ran, Xin Pan, Chang-Feng Chi, Bin Wang
{"title":"Antioxidant Peptides from Miiuy Croaker Swim Bladders: Ameliorating Effect and Mechanism in NAFLD Cell Model through Regulation of Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Capacity.","authors":"Yu-Mei Wang, Ming-Xue Ge, Su-Zhen Ran, Xin Pan, Chang-Feng Chi, Bin Wang","doi":"10.3390/md23020063","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this work, the hypolipidemic and antioxidative capacity of FSGLR (S7) and GIEWA (S10) from miiuy croaker swim bladders was explored systematically in an oleic acid (OA)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model of HepG2 cells. Moreover, the hypolipidemic activity of S7 and S10 and their antioxidative abilities were preliminarily investigated in combination with molecular docking technology. The results indicated that S7 and S10 could decrease the amount of lipid accumulation and the content of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in the OA-induced NAFLD cell model in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, S7 and S10 exhibited better bile salt binding, pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibition, and cholesterol esterase (CE) inhibition capacities. The hypolipidemic mechanisms of S7 and S10 were connected with the downregulation of the mRNA expression levels of adipogenic factors, including sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), sterol-regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-2, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and the upregulation of the mRNA expression of β-oxidation-related factors, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1), acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX-1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Moreover, FSGLR (S7) and GIEWA (S10) could significantly protect HepG2 cells against OA-induced oxidative damage, and their antioxidant mechanisms were related to the increased activity of intracellular antioxidant proteases (superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione peroxidase, GSH-PX; catalase, CAT) to remove excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease the production of malondialdehyde (MDA). The presented findings indicate that the hypolipidemic and antioxidant functions and mechanisms of S7 and S10 could make them potential hypolipidemic and antioxidant candidates for the treatment of NAFLD.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857530/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine DrugsPub Date : 2025-01-31DOI: 10.3390/md23020062
Shinichi Takaichi
{"title":"Distribution, Biosynthesis, and Function of Carotenoids in Oxygenic Phototrophic Algae.","authors":"Shinichi Takaichi","doi":"10.3390/md23020062","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For photosynthesis, oxygenic phototrophic organisms necessarily contain not only chlorophylls but also carotenoids. Various carotenoids have been identified in algae and taxonomic studies of algae have been conducted. In this review, the relationship between the distribution of chlorophylls and carotenoids and the phylogeny of sea and freshwater oxygenic phototrophs, including cyanobacteria, red algae, brown algae, and green algae, is summarized. These phototrophs contain division- or class-specific chlorophylls and carotenoids, such as fucoxanthin, peridinin, diadinoxanthin, and siphonaxanthin. The distribution of β-carotene and its derivatives, including β-carotene, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, fucoxanthin, and peridinin (β-branch carotenoids), are limited to divisions of a part of Rhodophyta, Cryptophyta, Heterokontophyta, Haptophyta, and Dinophyta. Meanwhile, the distribution of α-carotene and its derivatives, such as lutein, loroxanthin, and siphonaxanthin (α-branch carotenoids), are limited to divisions of a part of Rhodophyta (macrophytic type), Cryptophyta, Euglenophyta, Chlorarachniophyta, and Chlorophyta. In addition, carotenogenesis pathways are also discussed based on the chemical structures of carotenoids and the known characteristics of carotenogenesis enzymes in other organisms. The specific genes and enzymes for carotenogenesis in algae are not yet known. Most carotenoids bind to membrane-bound pigment-protein complexes, such as reaction centers and light-harvesting complexes. Some carotenoids function in photosynthesis and are briefly summarized. Water-soluble peridinin-chlorophyll <i>a</i>-protein (PCP) and orange carotenoid protein (OCP) have also been characterized. This review is a summary and update from the previous review on the distribution of major carotenoids, primary carotenogenesis pathways, and the characteristics of carotenogenesis enzymes and genes.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857680/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine DrugsPub Date : 2025-01-29DOI: 10.3390/md23020061
Ami E Krasner, Margaret E Martinez, Cara L Field, Spencer E Fire
{"title":"The Toxic Effects of Environmental Domoic Acid Exposure on Humans and Marine Wildlife.","authors":"Ami E Krasner, Margaret E Martinez, Cara L Field, Spencer E Fire","doi":"10.3390/md23020061","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a substantial global threat to ocean and human health. Domoic acid (DA) is one such biotoxin whose negative impacts are forecasted to increase with climate change and coastal development. This manuscript serves as a review of DA toxicosis after environmental exposure in humans and wildlife, including an introduction to HAB toxins, the history of DA toxicosis, DA production, toxicokinetic properties of DA, susceptibility, clinical signs, DA detection methods and other diagnostic tests, time course of toxicosis, treatment, prognostics, and recommendations for future research. Additionally, we highlight the utility of California sea lions (CSLs; <i>Zalophus californianus</i>) as a model and sentinel of environmental DA exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857359/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Marine-Derived Polysaccharides and Their Potential Health Benefits in Nutraceutical Applications.","authors":"Joana Carrasqueira, Susana Bernardino, Raul Bernardino, Clélia Afonso","doi":"10.3390/md23020060","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020060","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Marine-derived polysaccharides have sparked immense interest in the nutraceutical industry as they possess a wide range of bioactivities which are highlighted in this review. These include antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, gut microbiota regulator, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity. Algae, marine invertebrates, vertebrates, and microorganisms are the main sources of marine polysaccharides, such as alginate, fucoidan, laminarin, carrageenan, chitosan, glycosaminoglycans, and exopolysaccharides. The structure and functional groups of these compounds influence their bioactive properties. Moreover, the functional properties of polysaccharides, such as gelling, thickening, and stabilising capabilities, are also crucial in product development, where they can serve as gluten substitutes in bakery goods and stabilisers in icings, sauces, and yoghurts. The potential of commercial products under development, such as marine polysaccharide supplements, is discussed, along with already commercialised products in the nutraceutical market. This review emphasises the enormous potential of marine-derived polysaccharides as bioactive compounds with health benefits and commercial value.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857343/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine DrugsPub Date : 2025-01-27DOI: 10.3390/md23020059
Sandra Carolina De La Reé-Rodríguez, María Jesús González, Ingrid Fernández, José Luis Garrido, Erika Silva-Campa, Norma Violeta Parra-Vergara, Carmen María López-Saiz, Isabel Medina
{"title":"Chemical Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Extracts and Fractions from <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i> Muscle.","authors":"Sandra Carolina De La Reé-Rodríguez, María Jesús González, Ingrid Fernández, José Luis Garrido, Erika Silva-Campa, Norma Violeta Parra-Vergara, Carmen María López-Saiz, Isabel Medina","doi":"10.3390/md23020059","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Marine organisms are a vital source of biologically active compounds. Organic extracts from the muscle of the Pacific white shrimp (<i>L. vannamei</i>) have shown antiproliferative effects on tumor cells, including breast adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to analyze these extracts' composition and confirm their specificity for breast adenocarcinoma cells without harming normal cells. An organic chloroform extract from <i>L. vannamei</i> muscle was divided using a solvent partition procedure with methanol and hexane. The methanolic partition was fractionated through an open preparative liquid chromatography column to isolate compounds with biological activity, that were later tested on MDA-MB-231 (breast adenocarcinoma), and recently tested on MCF10-A (non-cancerous breast epithelial cells). Cells incubated with these fractions were assessed for viability and morphological changes using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Fractions F#13 and F#14 reduced MDA-MB-231 cancer cell viability at 100 µg/mL without affecting non-cancerous MCF-10A cells, inducing apoptosis-related changes in cancer cells. These fractions contained EPA and DHA free fatty acids, specifically F#13 contained free and esterified astaxanthin as well. The high levels of free linoleic acid 18:2 ω-6, EPA, and DHA (in a 2:1 ratio, EPA:DHA), along with free and esterified astaxanthin in F#13, significantly reduced breast adenocarcinoma cell viability, nearly to that achieved by cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857617/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine DrugsPub Date : 2025-01-26DOI: 10.3390/md23020058
Tobias Ebbing, Lena Kopp, Konstantin Frick, Tabea Simon, Berit Würtz, Jens Pfannstiel, Ulrike Schmid-Staiger, Stephan C Bischoff, Günter E M Tovar
{"title":"Exploring <i>Phaeodactylum tricornutum</i> for Nutraceuticals: Cultivation Techniques and Neurotoxin Risk Assessment.","authors":"Tobias Ebbing, Lena Kopp, Konstantin Frick, Tabea Simon, Berit Würtz, Jens Pfannstiel, Ulrike Schmid-Staiger, Stephan C Bischoff, Günter E M Tovar","doi":"10.3390/md23020058","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the potential of the diatom <i>Phaeodactylum tricornutum</i> (PT) as a sustainable and nutritionally valuable food source, focusing on its ability to produce bioactive compounds such as eicosapentaenoic acid, fucoxanthin, chrysolaminarin (CRY) and proteins. PT was cultivated in a flat-plate airlift photobioreactor (FPA-PBR) illuminated with LEDs from two sides. The study aimed to monitor and minimize β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) levels to address safety concerns. The data showed that the selected FPA-PBR setup was superior in biomass and EPA productivity, and CRY production was reduced. No BMAA was detected in any biomass sample during cultivation. By adjusting the cultivation conditions, PT biomass with different compositional profiles could be produced, enabling various applications in the food and health industries. Biomass from nutrient-repleted conditions is rich in EPA and Fx, with nutritional and health benefits. Biomass from nutrient-depleted conditions accumulated CRY, which can be used as dietary fiber. These results highlight the potential of PT as a versatile ingredient for human consumption and the effectiveness of FPA-PBRs with artificial lighting in producing high-quality biomass. This study also provides the basis for future research to optimize photobioreactor conditions to increase production efficiency and to tailor the biomass profiles of PT for targeted health-promoting applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857130/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"<i>Ulva</i> Seaweed-Derived Ulvan: A Promising Marine Polysaccharide as a Sustainable Resource for Biomaterial Design.","authors":"Rizfi Fariz Pari, Uju Uju, Safrina Dyah Hardiningtyas, Wahyu Ramadhan, Rie Wakabayashi, Masahiro Goto, Noriho Kamiya","doi":"10.3390/md23020056","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Green seaweed is currently underused compared with other major seaweed types. Many scientists have reported applications of the green seaweed <i>Ulva</i> in various fields in recent years, which makes it a candidate for biomass production in industrial biorefineries. <i>Ulva</i> contains a unique polysaccharide called ulvan, which is being considered for medicinal and pharmacological applications. Ulvan is a sulfated polysaccharide including rhamnose and glucuronic acid residues, which has a range of bioactivities, including immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and anticoagulant properties. The biocompatibility of ulvan makes it a versatile candidate for biomaterial design. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the potential applications of ulvan, starting with extraction methods and structural/biological characterization and moving on to biomaterial design. We also highlight the advantages of ulvan over traditional seaweed polysaccharides such as agar, carrageenan, and alginate.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857750/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characterizing the Ultraviolet (UV) Screening Ability of L-5-Sulfanylhistidine Derivatives on Human Dermal Fibroblasts.","authors":"Alessia Luccarini, Fabio Marcheggiani, Roberta Galeazzi, Annalisa Zuccarotto, Immacolata Castellano, Elisabetta Damiani","doi":"10.3390/md23020057","DOIUrl":"10.3390/md23020057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using sunscreens is one of the most widespread measures to protect human skin from sun ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damage. However, several studies have highlighted the toxicity of certain inorganic and organic UV filters used in sunscreens for the marine environment and human health. An alternative strategy may involve the use of natural products of marine origin to counteract UVR-mediated damage. Ovothiols are sulfur-containing amino acids produced by marine invertebrates, microalgae, and bacteria, endowed with unique antioxidant and UV-absorption properties. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of synthetic L-5-sulfanyl histidine derivatives, inspired by natural ovothiols, on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) upon UVA exposure. By using a custom-made experimental set-up to assess the UV screening ability, we measured the levels of cytosolic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as cell viability and apoptosis in HDFs, in the presence of tested compounds, after UVA exposure, using flow cytometry assays with specific fluorescent probes. The results show that L-5-sulfanyl histidine derivatives display a UV screening capacity and prevent loss in cell viability, the production of cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS induced by UVA exposure in HDFs, and subsequent apoptosis. Overall, this study sheds light on the potential applications of marine-inspired sulfur-containing amino acids in developing alternative eco-safe sunscreens for UVR skin protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":18222,"journal":{"name":"Marine Drugs","volume":"23 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857345/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}