The marine sponge genus Dysidea sp: the biological and chemical aspects—a review

Abstract

Background Marine sponges and other marine invertebrates are considered hidden treasures for a variety of secondary metabolites with pharmacognostic and pharmacological activities which have the potential to create future “super drugs.” The main body of the abstract Dysidea species is one of the most widely distributed sponge species in the world which is found mainly near the shores of the Red Sea, Australia, Yap State, and the Philippines. Dysidea species are considered a source of bioactive natural metabolites that exhibit outstanding chemical diversity. They revealed polybrominated diphenyl ethers, sesquiterpene hydroquinones, furano-sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, chlorinated diketopiperazines, and Amino acids. They showed a broad spectrum of potent biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, potent cytostatic, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. Conclusion This review presents an overview of the isolated secondary metabolites from Dysidea species, and their recorded biological activities covering the published reports in the last 30 years.