A Novel Phytocolorant, Neoxanthin, as a Potent Chemopreventive: Current Progress and Future Prospects.

Cancer is a general term for a group of similar diseases. It is a combined process that results from an accumulation of abnormalities at different biological levels, which involves changes at both genetic and biochemical levels in the cells. Several modifiable risk factors for each type of cancer include heredity, age, and institutional screening guidelines, including colonoscopy, mammograms, prostate-specific antigen testing, etc., which an individual cannot modify. Although a wide range of resources is available for cancer drugs and developmental studies, the cases are supposed to increase by about 70% in the next two decades due to environmental factors commonly driven by the way of living. The drugs used in cancer prevention are not entirely safe, have potential side effects and are generally unsuitable owing to substantial monetary costs. Interventions during the initiation and progression of cancer can prevent, diminish, or stop the transformation of healthy cells on the way to malignancy. Diet modifications are one of the most promising lifestyle changes that can decrease the threat of cancer development by nearly 40%. Neoxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment found in many microalgae and macroalgae, having significant anti-cancer, antioxidant and chemo-preventive activity. In this review, we have focused on the anti-cancer activity of neoxanthin on different cell lines and its cancer-preventive activity concerning obesity and oxidative stress. In addition to this, the preclinical studies and future perspectives are also discussed in this review.

Algal-derived nanoparticles and their antibacterial potential: Current evidence and future prospectives.

Green nanotechnology provides efficient solutions for converting biological systems to green approaches through nanomaterial synthesis and thus preventing any associated toxicity. Green nanoparticle (NP) synthesis involves the use of biological sources for synthesis of metallic NPs for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications in an eco-friendly and comparatively economical manner. Nanotechnology is a promising technology with a wide range of pharmaceutical applications in the modern world because it provides a higher surface area (SA) to volume (Vol) ratio. Compared to chemically synthesized NPs, algal-based NPs have recently received increasing attention from researchers worldwide as potential agents to treat and inhibit infections caused by microbial pathogens resistant to antibiotics. Algae produce various bioactive compounds such as chlorophyll, phycobilins, phenolics, flavonoids, glucosides, tannins, and saponins that can be used as therapeutic agents. Metallic NPs exert greater toxic effects on their targets than their macroscopic counterparts. Both macroalgae and some microalgae are used to synthesize metallic NPs that exhibit antimicrobial activity. The synthesis of algal-based NPs may provide potential drug candidates for use in nanomedicine against microbial diseases. To date, many studies have been conducted on algal-based NPs and their potential antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Therefore, in this review we have focused on the green synthesis of different NPs using algae and their therapeutic potential with reference to their antimicrobial activity.

A state-of-the-art review on fucoidan as an antiviral agent to combat viral infections.

As a significant public health hazard with several drug side effects during medical treatment, searching for novel therapeutic natural medicines is promising. Sulfated polysaccharides from algae, such as fucoidan, have been discovered to have a variety of medical applications, including antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. The review emphasized on the utilization of fucoidan as an antiviral agent against viral infections by inhibiting their attachment and replication. Moreover, it can also trigger immune response against viral infection in humans. This review suggested to be use the fucoidan for the potential protective remedy against COVID-19 and addressing the antiviral activities of sulfated polysaccharide, fucoidan derived from marine algae that could be used as an anti-COVID19 drug in near future.