Review: Bioactive compounds and therapeutic potentials of coral reef organisms
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Abstract. Syamsi RN, Rosyida SH, Allysa TN, Hanifah W, Izdihar RS, Naim DM, Setyawan AD. 2025. Review: Bioactive compounds and therapeutic potentials of coral reef organisms. Indo Pac J Ocean Life 9: 46-63. Coral reef ecosystems harbor an extraordinary diversity of marine organisms that are increasingly recognized as rich sources of bioactive compounds. This review examines the biodiversity, chemical composition, and pharmacological activities of coral reef organisms, with a particular focus on soft corals, macroalgae, sponges, and their associated microorganisms. Key classes of compounds—including terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, and sulfated polysaccharides—have demonstrated potent antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Beyond laboratory findings, this study highlights the ethnopharmacological significance of coral-derived organisms in traditional healing systems across Southeast Asian coastal communities. It also explores the continuity and erosion of these practices, and discusses their potential integration into modern complementary medicine frameworks. The final sections address critical challenges in coral-based drug discovery, such as taxonomic underrepresentation, unsustainable harvesting, and regulatory constraints. At the same time, the review identifies emerging opportunities facilitated by omics technologies, synthetic biology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By synthesizing biomedical and cultural perspectives, this review underscores the immense therapeutic potential of coral reef biodiversity and calls for integrated conservation and research strategies that ensure both ecological integrity and equitable innovation.
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