J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1372-1384, Sep-Oct 2025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres24.2119_13.5.1372Review
Bioactive compounds and biological mechanism of sea cucumber as potential antitumor agents: A review
[Compuestos bioactivos y mecanismo biológico del pepino de mar como potenciales agentes antitumorales: Una revisión]
Nurhidayati Nurhidayati1,2, Yuyun Yueniwati Prabowowati3, Nurdiana Nurdiana4, Happy Kurnia Permatasari5, Rohadi Muhammad Rosyidi6, Agustina Tri Endharti7*
1Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.
2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Mataram, Indonesia.
3Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.
4Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.
5Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.
6Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Mataram, Indonesia.
7Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia.
*E-mail: tinapermana.fk@ub.ac.id
Abstract
Context: The goal of cancer therapy is to eliminate tumor cells with the fewest side effects and injury to healthy tissue. This renders the use of natural ingredients, generally low in toxicity, a wise choice. Among the many marine organisms that have nutritional and therapeutic qualities, one that is quite popular is the sea cucumber.
Aims: To identify the antitumor effects of sea cucumber extracts.
Methods: This review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines of the Reporting System for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). The keywords used were “((sea cucumber) AND (treatment)) AND (cancer)) AND (animal)”. Studies included in this review were original articles published between January 2019 and April 2024.
Results: Based on the search results and predetermined keywords, 623 studies were generated. After filtering out duplicate studies, 33 articles were obtained, then proceeded to the full-text screening stage regarding the research design, resulting in 10 articles that could be further analyzed in this systematic review. Sea cucumber-derived compounds have been proven in vitro and in vivo in murine models to have the ability to suppress the growth of various types of human tumor cells through various mechanisms, including cytotoxic activity, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, reduction of tumor growth, suppression of tumor cell invasion and metastasis, as well as inhibition of angiogenesis.
Conclusions: Various bioactive compounds found in sea cucumbers have proven to have suppressive effects on the growth of various human tumors.
Keywords: cancer; sea cucumber; treatment.
Resumen
Contexto: El objetivo de la terapia contra el cáncer es eliminar las células tumorales con la menor cantidad de efectos secundarios y lesiones al tejido sano. Esto hace que el uso de ingredientes naturales, generalmente de baja toxicidad, sea una opción inteligente. Entre los muchos organismos marinos que tienen cualidades nutricionales y terapéuticas, uno que es bastante popular es el pepino de mar.
Objetivos: Identificar los efectos antitumorales de los extractos de pepino de mar.
Métodos: Esta revisión siguió los elementos de informe preferidos para revisiones sistemáticas y pautas de metaanálisis del Sistema de Informes para Revisiones Sistemáticas y Metaanálisis (PRISMA). Las palabras clave utilizadas fueron “((pepino de mar) AND (tratamiento)) AND (cáncer)) AND (animal)”. Los estudios incluidos en esta revisión fueron artículos originales publicados entre enero de 2019 y abril de 2024.
Resultados: Con base en los resultados de la búsqueda y palabras clave predeterminadas, se generaron 623 estudios. Después de filtrar los estudios duplicados, se obtuvieron 33 artículos, luego se procedió a la etapa de selección de texto completo con respecto al diseño de la investigación, lo que dio como resultado 10 artículos que podrían analizarse más a fondo en esta revisión sistemática. Se ha demostrado in vitro e in vivo en modelos murinos que los compuestos derivados del pepino de mar tienen la capacidad de suprimir el crecimiento de varios tipos de células tumorales humanas a través de varios mecanismos, incluida la actividad citotóxica, la inducción de la apoptosis, la detención del ciclo celular, la reducción del crecimiento tumoral, la supresión de la invasión y metástasis de células tumorales, así como la inhibición de la angiogénesis.
Conclusiones: Varios compuestos bioactivos encontrados en los pepinos de mar han demostrado tener efectos supresores sobre el crecimiento de varios tumores humanos.
Palabras Clave: cáncer; pepino de mar; tratamiento.
Citation Format: Nurhidayati N, Prabowowati YY, Nurdiana N, Permatasari HK, Rosyidi RM, Endharti ATG (2025) Bioactive compounds and biological mechanism of sea cucumber as potential antitumor agents: A review. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 13(5): 1372–1384. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres24.2119_13.5.1372
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