title: Bioactivities from marine algae of the genus Gracilaria.
abstract: Seaweeds are an important source of bioactive metabolites for the pharmaceutical industry in drug development. Many of these compounds are used to treat diseases like cancer, acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS), inflammation, pain, arthritis, as well as viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. This paper offers a survey of the literature for Gracilaria algae extracts with biological activity, and identifies avenues for future research. Nineteen species of this genus that were tested for antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antihypertensive, cytotoxic, spermicidal, embriotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities are cited from the 121 references consulted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB 58051-900, Brazil; E-Mails: cynthialayse@gmail.com (C.L.F.A.); heloinafalcao@yahoo.com.br (H.S.F.); gedson@ltf.ufpb.br (G.R.M.L.); camila_montenegro@ltf.ufpb.br (C.A.M.); narlizelira@yahoo.com.br (N.S.L.); athayde-filho@quimica.ufpb.br (P.F.A.-F); lcezar@ltf.ufpb.br (L.C.R.); mfvanderlei@ltf.ufpb.br (M.F.V.S.); jbarbosa@ltf.ufpb.br (J.M.B.-F.).
authors.forename: Cynthia Layse F
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Heloina de S
authors.initials: Hde S
authors.lastname: Falcão
authors.forename: Gedson R de M
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Camila de A
authors.initials: Cde A
authors.lastname: Montenegro
authors.forename: Narlize S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Lira
authors.forename: Petrônio F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: de Athayde-Filho
authors.forename: Luis C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima V
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Barbosa-Filho
authors.forename: Leônia M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Batista
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000187:drug effects; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D044724:Gracilaria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010936:Plant Extracts