Study on novel antibacterial and antiviral compounds from abalone as an important marine mollusc

Abstract

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses are the most common cause of death in developing countries. The acquisition of antibiotic resistance and emergence of new pathogens require the development of new antibacterial and antiviral compounds with different mechanism of action. Abalone, a commercially important marine mollusc, has recently been found to possess arrange of compounds with potent antibacterial and antiviral activity. Some of the active compounds identified in abalones, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and hemocyanin, demonstrated diverse mechanisms of action against a wide variety of human pathogens. These promising lead compounds may provide a development platform for novel antibacterial and antiviral drugs in the near future.