Marine Natural Products: A Promising Frontier in Drug Discovery

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry has increasingly turned to natural product-based drug development as synthetic drug discovery declines. Marine ecosystems have become a key source of novel therapeutic agents, known as marine natural products (NPs), celebrated for their unique chemical structures and diverse biological activities. This chapter comprehensively explores marine NPs as a rich source of pharmacologically active compounds. We discuss the shift towards natural product-based drugs, the growing focus on marine ecosystems, and the diverse pharmacological actions of marine NPs. We also classify these natural products based on their sources. Furthermore, the chapter highlights marine NPs that are in various phases of clinical trials, those approved, and those already marketed as drugs. We emphasize the translational potential of marine NPs, showcasing their journey from promising leads to clinically relevant drugs, underscoring their importance as a reservoir of bioactive compounds.