Anticancer potential of algae-derived metabolites: recent updates and breakthroughs

BackgroundCancer is an increasing medical condition that poses a threat to worldwide populations, despite improvements in scientific research. For normal cancer treatment, a variety of chemotherapeutics, radiation, and medications are available; however, recurrent side effects and multi-drug resistance have limited treatment options and harmed our immune system. Marine algae are a promising source of novel components for the development of new complementary and alternative medications with anti-carcinogenic properties.ResultsIn this review, we discussed several breakthrough studies on the anti-carcinogenic effects of several macro- and micro-algal components, demonstrating the inhibition of cancer cell development via multiple mechanisms. These components, often referred to as algal biopolymers, have been demonstrated to exhibit a wide range of chemical compositions and physical properties; as a result, they are used in pharmacological, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and microbiological applications in different sectors. Moreover, treatment of antimicrobial-resistant Helicobacter pylori infection-derived gastric cancer prevention may benefit from the use of algae in addition to standard antibiotics. Additionally, in recent years, it has been shown that algae have incredibly promising low-cost biomedical potentials as therapeutic applications for the treatment of cancer.ConclusionIn recent years, several preclinical studies with the algal bioactive components in the field of novel drug discovery substituting synthetic drugs have been conducted. To demonstrate their potential anticancer actions on various cancerous signaling pathways and consequently reduce cancer, the enormous plasticity of these algae biopolymers has been intensively explored.