The Marine Starfish Acanthaster planci: Secondary Metabolites and Pharmacological Activities

This review presents the first complete comprehensive analysis of the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci (A. planci), highlighting its biological activities and therapeutic potential. A. planci, a well-known member of the phylum Echinodermata and class Asteroidea, is a widespread marine invertebrate found in Indo-Pacific coral reef environments. It has garnered increasing scientific attention not only due to its ecological significance but also for its rich diversity of bioactive compounds. Research has revealed that its tissues, particularly the dermal layer, contain a diverse array of biologically active metabolites, including saponins, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, fatty acids, and sphingolipids, many of which exhibit anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. These bioactive metabolites have highlighted A. planci as a potentially valuable source for novel natural product discovery. Furthermore, its exceptional regenerative abilities make it a promising organism for studies in regenerative biology and marine biotechnology. The present review compiles up-to-date findings on A. planci's pharmacologically significant metabolites and underscores its emerging role in biomedical and pharmaceutical research.