Phlorotannin and its Derivatives, a Potential Antiviral Molecule from Brown Seaweeds, an Overview

Research on seaweeds provides a continual discovery of natural bioactive compounds. The review presents new information on studies of the potential and specific antiviral action of phlorotannin and their derivatives from marine brown algae. Phlorotannin is a polyphenolic derivative and a secondary metabolite from marine brown algae which exhibits a high quality of biological properties. Phlorotannin has a variety of biological activities that include antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antihypertensive and immune modulating activities. These phlorotannin properties were revealed by various biochemical and cell-based assays in vitro. This distinctive polyphenol from the marine brown algae may be a potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compound. In this review, the extraction, quantification, characterization, purification, and biological applications of phlorotannin are discussed, and antiviral potential is described in detail.