Alkaloids from marine invertebrates as important leads for anticancer drugs discovery and development

Molecules. 2014 Dec 5;19(12):20391-423. doi: 10.3390/molecules191220391.

Abstract

The present review describes research on novel natural antitumor alkaloids isolated from marine invertebrates. The structure, origin, and confirmed cytotoxic activity of more than 130 novel alkaloids belonging to several structural families (indoles, pyrroles, pyrazines, quinolines, and pyridoacridines), together with some of their synthetic analogs, are illustrated. Recent discoveries concerning the current state of the potential and/or development of some of them as new drugs, as well as the current knowledge regarding their modes of action, are also summarized. A special emphasis is given to the role of marine invertebrate alkaloids as an important source of leads for anticancer drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aquatic Organisms / chemistry*
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Humans
  • Invertebrates / chemistry*
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / pharmacology

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases