Antimalarial lead compounds from marine organisms

Abstract

A series of about 70 secondary metabolites produced by marine organisms have been grouped into three structural types and discussed in terms of thei reported antimalarial activities. The major groups of metabolites include isonitrile derivatives, alkaloids and cycloperoxide derivatives. Structure-activity relationships and, when applicable, mechanisms of action of the isolated molecules, have been discussed. The following discussion evidences that antimalarial marine molecules can efficiently integrate the panel of lead compounds isolated from terrestrial sources with new chemical backbones and, sometimes, with “typically marine” functional groups (as isonitriles).