Current Status on Natural Products with Antitumor Activity from Brazilian Marine Sponges

Mario      Luiz Conte da Frota Junior; Renata      Biegelmeyer da Silva; Beatriz      Mothes; Amelia      Teresinha Henriques; Jose      Claudio Fonseca Moreira

Abstract

Over the last few years, samples from the marine environment have been screened for a variety of compounds with different biological activities. Among all marine organisms, sponges represent one of the most promising sources of leads in the research of new cancer drugs. However, there are few reports on screening Brazilian marine sponges for biological activities. In the following review, the current status of natural product research relating to Brazilian marine sponges is summarized, particularly for compounds demonstrating potential antitumor activity.

Keywords: Brazilian marine sponges, cancer, natural products, marine environment, cancer drugs, screening Brazilian, drug leads, sterols, Brazilian coastline, ovarian cancer cell line