Abstract

Natural arsenolipids are analogues of neutral lipids, like monoglycerides, glycolipids, phospho- and also phosphonolipids. They have been found in microorganisms, fungi, plants, lichens, in marine mollusks, sponges, other invertebrates, and in fish tissues. This review presented structures of natural arsenolipids (and derivatives), their distribution, biogenesis in algae and invertebrates, synthesis, and also biological activity. Arsenolipids are thought to be end products of arsenate detoxification processes, involving reduction and oxidative methylation and adenosylation. The proposed biogenesis of arsenolipids is based on the natural occurrence of arsenic metabolites, and all the intermediates in the proposed pathway have been identified as natural products of algal origin. Different arseno species are shown to be inhibitors of glycerol kinase, bovine carbonic anhydrase, and also is an effective therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia, and there has been promising activity noted in other hematologic and solid tumors. Arsonoliposomes demonstrated high anti-trypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei and inhibit growth of some types of cancer cells (HL-60,C6 and GH3).