# The Cardioprotective Potential of Marine Venom and Toxins

## TL;DR

Marine venoms and toxins show potential for treating heart disease by acting on ion channels and other mechanisms, but face challenges like poor selectivity and stability.

## Contribution

This review explores novel marine-derived toxins and venoms as untapped sources for cardiovascular drug discovery.

## Key findings

- Marine toxins like tetrodotoxin and ω-conotoxins modulate ion channels and protect the heart through antioxidative and contractility-enhancing effects.
- Structural modifications and advanced drug delivery systems are needed to improve the clinical viability of marine toxins.
- Marine venoms show promise for treating arrhythmia, hypertension, and heart failure but require further translational research.

## Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic alternatives. In recent years, marine ecosystems have garnered increasing attention as a promising source of bioactive compounds with unique structural and pharmacological properties. Marine-derived toxins and venoms, including tetrodotoxin, ω-conotoxins, anthopleurins, palytoxin, brevetoxin, aplysiatoxin, and asterosaponins, exert cardioprotective effects through diverse mechanisms such as modulation of ion channels, inhibition of sympathetic overactivity, antioxidative actions, and enhancement of myocardial contractility. These properties make them potential candidates for addressing various CVD manifestations, including arrhythmia, hypertension, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and heart failure. However, despite their therapeutic promise, the clinical application of these marine compounds remains limited due to poor tissue selectivity, narrow therapeutic indices, proinflammatory activity, and limited metabolic stability. Structural modifications, advanced drug delivery platforms, and in vivo validation studies are crucial for overcoming these challenges. This review highlights the pharmacological actions, molecular targets, and cardiovascular relevance of selected marine toxins and venoms while also addressing key translational barriers. Advances in biotechnology and peptide engineering are enabling the safer and more targeted use of these compounds. Collectively, marine-derived toxins and venoms represent a largely untapped but highly promising frontier in cardiovascular drug discovery. Strategic research focused on elucidating mechanisms, optimizing delivery, and translating clinical applications will be critical to unlocking their full therapeutic potential.