Chemical diversity and biological activities of marine sponges from the genus Tedania: a comprehensive review

Given current public health concerns and the growing number of individuals affected by cancer, inflammatory diseases, and microbial infections, the identification of natural bioactive metabolites has become crucial as a therapeutic alternative. Marine sponges stand out in this context due to their ability to produce diverse bioactive metabolites. The genus Tedania aligns with this perspective, as literature reports associate it with cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This integrative review aimed to compile studies on the chemical and biological composition of the genus Tedania , correlating molecular structure with biological activity while updating existing knowledge. The databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, LILACS, and Web of Science were searched using the keyword “ Tedania” . Inclusion criteria comprised articles reporting the identification or isolation of metabolites and/or biological activities, while duplicate and unrelated articles were excluded. A total of 135 compounds were identified for the genus Tedania , with lipids predominating (55.55%), followed by alkaloids (21.48%), carotenoids (8.15%), and terpenes (4.44%). Metabolites 20 , 21 , and 22 were detected in three species of the genus. Most of the identified metabolites have not been biologically evaluated; however, alkaloids stood out among those that have been analyzed. Certain substances, fractions, and extracts were tested against various cancer cell lines and pathogenic microorganisms, including assessments of larvicidal activity and key signaling pathways. Regarding the biotechnological potential of the genus Tedania , the literature reports three patents with pharmacological applications. Therefore, sponges of the genus Tedania represent promising sources of bioactive metabolites with antiproliferative, antimicrobial, larvicidal, and anti-inflammatory effects, which warranting further scientific investigation.