Abstract
This paper presents the alkaloids found in green, brown and red marine algae. Algal chemistry has interested many researchers in order to develop new drugs, as algae include compounds with functional groups which are characteristic from this particular source. Among these compounds, alkaloids present special interest because of their pharmacological activities. Alkaloid chemistry has been widely studied in terrestrial plants, but the number of studies in algae is insignificant. In this review, a detailed account of macro algae alkaloids with their structure and pharmacological activities is presented. The alkaloids found in marine algae may be divided into three groups: 1. Phenylethylamine alkaloids, 2. Indole and halogenated indole alkaloids, 3. Other alkaloids.
Highlights
IntroductionThe term alkaloid was first proposed by Meissner in 1819 to characterize these “alkali-like”
The term alkaloid was first proposed by Meissner in 1819 to characterize these “alkali-like”compounds found in plants [1,2], but it was not precisely defined [3]
Morphine was the first alkaloid extracted from a terrestrial plant in 1805 as reported by Kappelmayer [7] and hordenine was the first alkaloid isolated from a marine algae in 1969 [8,9]
Summary
The term alkaloid was first proposed by Meissner in 1819 to characterize these “alkali-like”. Mar. Drugs 2010, 8 and halogenated cyclic nitrogen-containing substances are included in the term alkaloid. Drugs 2010, 8 and halogenated cyclic nitrogen-containing substances are included in the term alkaloid The latter is specific from marine organisms and marine algae. Found on the green alga Enteromorpha intestinalis [5] and leptosins from Leptosphaeria on Sargassum tortillae [6] These alkaloids were improperly attributed to algae and were not included in this paper. After the isolation of alkaloids, pure active compounds were used in therapy instead of plant extracts. Morphine was the first alkaloid extracted from a terrestrial plant in 1805 as reported by Kappelmayer [7] and hordenine was the first alkaloid isolated from a marine algae in 1969 [8,9]. Today approximately two thousand alkaloids are known They occur abundantly in terrestrial plants and rarely in marine algae.
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