Marine-derived compounds applied in osteoarthritis: function, challenges and future prospects

The complex and diverse living conditions in the ocean have created the distinctive structure and physiological activities of marine natural products, which distinguish them from land-based natural products. Most of bioactive compounds extracted from marine organisms exhibit favorable pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which can prevent and treat osteoarthritis. Marine-derived compounds, which are essential chemicals in the treatment of osteoarthritis, have been studied extensively. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive review on the treatment of osteoarthritis with marine-derived compounds to help readers understand the current state of research on marine-derived compounds for osteoarthritis. The current review compiles the recent progress made on the marine-derived compounds with anti-osteoarthritis and provides the first summary of preclinical and clinical studies of marine-derived compounds in osteoarthritis, as well as their application in anti-osteoarthritic drug delivery systems. The current research of marine-derived compounds in osteoarthritis is mostly limited to the laboratory, and there are few clinical studies. The safety needs to be further established, and the optimal dose and duration of treatment are still uncertain. This review can not only deepen people's understanding of marine-derived compounds with anti-osteoarthritis, but also provide potential avenues for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.