A comprehensive review of the therapeutic potential of cyanobacterial marine bioactives: Unveiling the hidden treasures of the sea

Marine cyanobacterial bioactives, due to their diverse chemistry and promising pharmacological properties, hold significant potential as therapeutic agents. Here, we comprehensively review the scientific state-of-the-art relating to marine cyanobacterial bioactives, including bioprospecting, preclinical and clinical studies, mechanisms of action, safety and toxicity considerations, sustainability, and conservation. We discuss challenges in and opportunities for developing marine cyanobacterial bioactives as therapeutics; we underscore their potential in treating life-threatening health ailments, such as cancer and neurodegenerative, inflammatory and viral diseases. We further articulate the significant potential of marine cyanobacterial bioactives for improving human health, and identify future research directions underpinning their development as therapeutics.