role of quickly deploying a defense mechanism against foreign substances. As
macrophages are activated, they produce large amounts of inflammatory factors,
including tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL), leukotrienes, and
nitriooxide (NO). Inflammation occurs because of the propagation of white blood
cells to prevent pathogens from proliferating further in infected regions where tissue
has been damaged. A chief cause of inflammation is the accumulation of dead
leukocytes and pathogens in the infected area.
Anti-inflammatory agents are substances or treatments that have the property of
eliminating inflammation. More than half of anti-inflammatories are also pain
relievers. Because non-opioid pain relievers (as opposed to opioid pain relievers
such as opium) eliminate inflammation and reduce pain, many pain relievers also
have an anti-inflammatory function.
A review of the relevant literature shows anti-inflammatory bioactivity effects
from crassumolide (A) and durumolide (B), which have been isolated from the
ocean-dwelling coral Lobophytum crissum. Between 2003 and 2010, the new
compound fragilide (C) was isolated from the marine coral Junceella sp. Most of
these exhibit distinctive structures and anti-inflammatory bioactivity.
Also exhibiting anti-inflammatory bioactivity are the lyngbyastatin derivative
lyngbyastatin (D) from the marine actinomycete Salinispora pacifica, and the
steroid glycoside linckoside (E) from the starfish Linckia laevigata. Together, they
suggest possibilities for the prevention or treatment of inflammatory conditions.
Additionally, anti-inflammatory bioactivity has been seen in 1-(2-hydroxy-4methoxyphenyl)ethanone (F) and 1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) ethanone (G) from the sea horse Hippocampus kuda Bleeler (Fig. 10.16) (Kim et al.
2013).
10.3.3 Substances with Anticancer Bioactivity Properties
Cancer is the disease with highest incidence rate in South Korea. The incidence of
cancer is expected to increase further in the future as a result of environmental
issues, longer lifespans, and Westernized diets. As a global trend, the population
with cancer is increasing by around 30 million each year, an estimated 20 million of
whom are expected to die of the disease. Despite ongoing research into cancer, the
diversification of metastastic and emergence mechanisms means that new anticancer agents still need to be developed with few side effects and the ability to
overcome resistance, and new anticancer treatments continue to go on the market.
Cancer is thus an area where the failure to develop necessary medications points
to strong market potential. Effective treatments need to be developed, and major
international and domestic pharmaceutical companies are committed to developing
and marketing such treatments.
Chemotherapeutic agents are a class of drugs that interfere with the metabolic
pathways of cancer cells. Typically, they work directly on DNA, blocking its
replication, transcription, or translation or disrupting the synthesis of nucleic acid
precursors to inhibit cell division, thereby exhibiting anticancer activity (i.e.,
374
10 Marine Natural Substances
macrophages are activated, they produce large amounts of inflammatory factors,
including tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL), leukotrienes, and
nitriooxide (NO). Inflammation occurs because of the propagation of white blood
cells to prevent pathogens from proliferating further in infected regions where tissue
has been damaged. A chief cause of inflammation is the accumulation of dead
leukocytes and pathogens in the infected area.
Anti-inflammatory agents are substances or treatments that have the property of
eliminating inflammation. More than half of anti-inflammatories are also pain
relievers. Because non-opioid pain relievers (as opposed to opioid pain relievers
such as opium) eliminate inflammation and reduce pain, many pain relievers also
have an anti-inflammatory function.
A review of the relevant literature shows anti-inflammatory bioactivity effects
from crassumolide (A) and durumolide (B), which have been isolated from the
ocean-dwelling coral Lobophytum crissum. Between 2003 and 2010, the new
compound fragilide (C) was isolated from the marine coral Junceella sp. Most of
these exhibit distinctive structures and anti-inflammatory bioactivity.
Also exhibiting anti-inflammatory bioactivity are the lyngbyastatin derivative
lyngbyastatin (D) from the marine actinomycete Salinispora pacifica, and the
steroid glycoside linckoside (E) from the starfish Linckia laevigata. Together, they
suggest possibilities for the prevention or treatment of inflammatory conditions.
Additionally, anti-inflammatory bioactivity has been seen in 1-(2-hydroxy-4methoxyphenyl)ethanone (F) and 1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) ethanone (G) from the sea horse Hippocampus kuda Bleeler (Fig. 10.16) (Kim et al.
2013).
10.3.3 Substances with Anticancer Bioactivity Properties
Cancer is the disease with highest incidence rate in South Korea. The incidence of
cancer is expected to increase further in the future as a result of environmental
issues, longer lifespans, and Westernized diets. As a global trend, the population
with cancer is increasing by around 30 million each year, an estimated 20 million of
whom are expected to die of the disease. Despite ongoing research into cancer, the
diversification of metastastic and emergence mechanisms means that new anticancer agents still need to be developed with few side effects and the ability to
overcome resistance, and new anticancer treatments continue to go on the market.
Cancer is thus an area where the failure to develop necessary medications points
to strong market potential. Effective treatments need to be developed, and major
international and domestic pharmaceutical companies are committed to developing
and marketing such treatments.
Chemotherapeutic agents are a class of drugs that interfere with the metabolic
pathways of cancer cells. Typically, they work directly on DNA, blocking its
replication, transcription, or translation or disrupting the synthesis of nucleic acid
precursors to inhibit cell division, thereby exhibiting anticancer activity (i.e.,
374
10 Marine Natural Substances