Marine products with anti-protozoal activity: a review

Curr Clin Pharmacol. 2014;9(3):258-70. doi: 10.2174/157488470903140806114803.

Abstract

The marine organisms are a rich source of varied natural products with unique functionality. A variety of natural products of new molecular structures with diverse biological activities have been reported from marine flora and fauna for treatment and/or prevention of human diseases. The present review briefly illustrates current status of marine products as antiprotozoal agents. The in vitro and in vivo studies of marine algae, invertebrates and micro-organism against different protozoa parasites are included. The marine products studied, according to international criterions for selection of more promisory products in the different models reported, demonstrated their potentialities as antiprozoal agents. Herein, the interest of scientific community to search new alternatives from marine environment has been demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Biological Products / isolation & purification
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Protozoan Infections / drug therapy*
  • Protozoan Infections / parasitology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Biological Products