Marine-derived Bioactives as Novel Interventions for Cardiovascular Disorders

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, affecting the heart, vasculature, pulmonary circulation, and cerebrovascular functions. Bioactive compounds from natural sources, particularly marine organisms, are gaining attention for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects, offering safer alternatives to synthetic drugs.

This narrative review collated and critically analyzed peer-reviewed literature from the past two decades on marine-derived bioactive compounds with potential cardiovascular benefits. Key databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for studies describing chemical characterization, pharmacological activities, and mechanistic insights.

Marine ecosystems provide diverse bioactives such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, carotenoids, peptides, proteins, and essential fatty acids. Compounds including exopolysaccharides, sulfated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, eicosapentaenoic acid, saringosterol, alginate, β- cryptoxanthin, macrolactin A, astaxanthin, and echinochrome A demonstrated significant antioxidant, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and vascular-protective actions in preclinical models. Several agents, such as omega-3-acid ethyl esters, have advanced to clinical use or late-stage trials for CVD prevention and management.

The natural origin, structural diversity, and favorable safety profiles of these marine compounds underscore their promise as cardioprotective therapeutics. However, variability in extraction methods, limited human trials, and potential ecological constraints highlight the need for standardized protocols and sustainability assessments. Translational research must bridge the gap between experimental findings and clinical application.

Marine-derived bioactive compounds represent a rich, underexplored resource for novel interventions against cardiovascular disorders. Rigorous clinical validation and sustainable harvesting strategies are essential to fully realize their therapeutic potential.