Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols and Other Micronutrients of Marine Origin

Mar Drugs. 2023 May 26;21(6):323. doi: 10.3390/md21060323.

Abstract

Polyphenols are compounds found in various plants and foods, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, researchers have been exploring the therapeutic potential of marine polyphenols and other minor nutrients that are found in algae, fish and crustaceans. These compounds have unique chemical structures and exhibit diverse biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor action. Due to these properties, marine polyphenols are being investigated as possible therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of marine polyphenols and their applications in human health, and also, in marine phenolic classes, the extraction methods, purification techniques and future applications of marine phenolic compounds.

Keywords: anti-inflammatories; antioxidants; cancer; cardiovascular diseases; diabetes; health; marine polyphenols; neurodegenerative diseases; therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants* / chemistry
  • Antioxidants* / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Micronutrients / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plants
  • Polyphenols* / chemistry
  • Polyphenols* / pharmacology
  • Polyphenols* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Polyphenols
  • Antioxidants
  • Micronutrients
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Plant Extracts

Grants and funding

This work was financed by national funds through the FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., within the scope of the project LA/P/0069/2020 granted to the Associate Laboratory ARNET, UIDB/04292/2020 granted to MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre.