Marine Demospongiae: A Challenging Treasure of Bioactive Compounds |
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Authors: | Roberta Esposito Serena Federico Marco Bertolino Valerio Zupo Maria Costantini |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (R.E.); (S.F.);2.Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cin-thia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy;3.Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy; |
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Abstract: | In the last decades, it has been demonstrated that marine organisms are a substantial source of bioactive compounds with possible biotechnological applications. Marine sponges, in particular those belonging to the class of Demospongiae, have been considered among the most interesting invertebrates for their biotechnological potential. In this review, particular attention is devoted to natural compounds/extracts isolated from Demospongiae and their associated microorganisms with important biological activities for pharmacological applications such as antiviral, anticancer, antifouling, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antifungal and antioxidant. The data here presented show that this class of sponges is an exciting source of compounds, which are worth developing into new drugs, such as avarol, a hydroquinone isolated from the marine sponge Disidea avara, which is used as an antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral drug. |
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Keywords: | Demospongiae bacteria fungi diverse bioactivities |
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