Due to its distinct, atypical features and possible applications, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanoflowers have sparked considerable interest. Copper (II) ions were employed as inorganic components in this study, whereas various extracts from Aspergillus terreus and their extracted main components were used as organic components. Extracts from A. terreus and its isolated principal component molecules can first form complexes with copper ions, and these complexes subsequently become nucleation sites for primary copper phosphate crystals, showing interactions using an easy and successful self-assembly template synthesis technique. Therefore, the process results in the formation of 3D nanoflowers among the A. terreus extract and its remoted important additives in addition to copper ions, ensuing in a completely unique round flower-like shape containing loads of nanopetals under the most excellent conditions along with pH, attention of organic–inorganic additives, temperature, and the quantity of copper nitrate on nanoflower formation. Furthermore, A. terreus and its isolated major components, Cu₃(PO₄)₂ nanoflowers, seemed to have a remarkable antibacterial effect. Our findings highlight the benefits of nanoflowers made with A. terreus and its isolated secondary metabolites of inorganic structures, which could be used in industrial biocatalysts, biosensors, and environmental chemistry.

In December 2020, the U.K. authorities reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that a new COVID-19 variant, considered to be a variant under investigation from December 2020 (VUI-202012/01), was identified through viral genomic sequencing. Although several other mutants were previously reported, VUI-202012/01 proved to be about 70% more transmissible. Hence, the usefulness and effectiveness of the newly U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved COVID-19 vaccines against these new variants are doubtfully questioned. As a result of these unexpected mutants from COVID-19 and due to lack of time, much research interest is directed toward assessing secondary metabolites as potential candidates for developing lead pharmaceuticals. In this study, a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus was investigated, affording two butenolide derivatives, butyrolactones I (1) and III (2), a meroterpenoid, terretonin (3), and 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzaldehyde (4). Chemical structures were unambiguously determined based on mass spectrometry and extensive 1D/2D NMR analyses experiments. Compounds (1–4) were assessed for their in vitro anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and in silico COVID-19 main protease (M^pro) and elastase inhibitory activities. Among the tested compounds, only 1 revealed significant activities comparable to or even more potent than respective standard drugs, which makes butyrolactone I (1) a potential lead entity for developing a new remedy to treat and/or control the currently devastating and deadly effects of COVID-19 pandemic and elastase-related inflammatory complications.

First time in this study, the antibacterial effects of Axinyssa digitata sponge extracts and Axinyssa digitata -based cupper hybrid nanoflowers (Cu hNFs) were evaluated. Herein, hybrid nanoflowers (Cu hNFs) were produced by combining Axinyssa digitata sponge extract with Cu ²⁺ ions in Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (at pH 7.4) at room temperature for three days using green synthesis method. The shape and size of hNFs were evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping was used to determine the presence of Cu metals and other components. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a non-destructive analysis method that was used to determine of the crystallographic properties of materials and the phases they contain. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) peaks were used to discuss the presence of functional groups that played a key role in the synthesis. The Cu-hNFs had antimicrobial activity against selected microorganisms. This research is expected to provide knowledge on hNFs synthesis and antimicrobial activity application investigations using Axinyssa digitata rather than biomolecules obtained through costly and time-consuming methods.

Objectives: Marine organisms obtained from Antarctica are prominent sources for many important activities. Algae are known for adapting to various adverse environmental conditions and for producing secondary metabolites with various biological activities. This study examined the enzyme inhibitory properties of six different Antarctic algal extracts. Methods: We investigated the activity of specific enzymes, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), carbonic anhydrase (CA I/II), glutathione reductase (GR), and α-glucosidase (AG), as these enzymes have potential therapeutic applications such as in Alzheimer’s disease, malaria, cancer, and diabetes mellitus. Results: The results of the study found that the algal extracts had potent inhibitory effects on these enzymes, with IC ₅₀ values ranging from 0.60 to 48.85 μg/mL, indicating that these extracts could be source of potential new drugs. Monostroma harioti and Cystosphaera jacquinotii extracts demonstrated highest AChE and CA I enzymes inhibiton. M. harioti and Desmarestia antarctica extracts presented highest GR enzyme inhibiton, C. jacquinotii and D. antarctica extracts presented highest inhibitory activity against BChE, CA II and α-glucosidase enzymes. Conclusions: Extracts of algae samples taken from Antarctica have high enzyme inhibitory activity, and further studies are needed to find out which compounds may be responsible for the effect.

The oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface. The marine environment is an important source of secondary metabolites with high biodiversity. Besides other marine species, sponges with a wide range of secondary metabolites are an important potential for drug discovery. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death with high morbidity and mortality. It is very important to discover new therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer. In recent years, studies on exploring new anticancer compounds are focused on the marine source. In this review, our target is collecting the studies about marine sponges secondary metabolites which have an anticancer effect. Among most of the isolated compounds from sponges and their semisynthetic derivatives, there are three FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approved compounds and three compounds in clinical phase. Moreover, more than 40 compounds isolated from marine sponges have been tested for anticancer activity in recent 10 years. In conclusion marine sponges secondary metabolites are a promising and important source of the anticancer compounds.