The chemical structures, and biological activities of marine terpenoids: a review and perspective from cheminformatics

Marine terpenoids are a diverse group of natural products derived from marine organisms, known for their unique structures and remarkable biological activities. They play crucial roles in marine ecological interactions and chemical defense, while also demonstrating potential therapeutic applications such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. This review collects 13132 marine terpenoids, of which 2066 have reported biological activity, and concisely summarizes their organism sources, molecular skeletons, and activities. Then leverages cheminformatics to analyze the distinct chemical space of marine and terrestrial terpenoids. Finally, promising directions for the discovery, utilization and synthesis of marine terpenoids are discussed, aiming to facilitate a comprehensive and sustainable exploration of the invaluable marine resource.