Marine-derived natural products as anti-osteoporosis agents

Osteoporosis is a prevalent global disease that imposes a significant burden on public health. Marine ecosystems, rich in natural resources, have provided a wide variety of natural products, many of which show promising potential to combat bone resorption and promote bone formation. This review systematically summarizes 152 marine-derived natural products with anti-osteoporotic activity, predominantly polyketides and terpenoids sourced from marine fungi, and elucidates their biosynthetic pathways and total synthesis strategies to accelerate the development of osteoporosis therapeutics. The review also discusses the key challenges associated with translating anti-osteoporotic natural products from lead compounds discovery into commercial development, and proposes emerging technologies such as genome mining and synthetic biology as promising strategies to overcome these barriers. By integrating advanced biotechnological advancements, this work aims to facilitate the translation of marine-derived compounds into clinically viable osteoporosis treatments. This paper highlights the foundation for future exploration of marine-derived compounds with anti-osteoporosis activity and underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in addressing therapeutic needs for osteoporosis treatment.