Frondoside A of Cucumaria frondosa (Gennerus, 1767): Chemistry, biosynthesis, medicinal applications, and mechanism of actions.

This article focuses on frondoside A, a bioactive triterpene glycoside (saponin) first isolated from the North Atlantic sea cucumber, *Cucumaria frondosa*, which is traditionally consumed and valued for its medicinal properties. Frondoside A exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects, acting through multiple cellular signalling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/ERK1/2/p38 MAPK and NFκB/AP-1. The review highlights the biosynthesis, chemical derivatives, extraction methods, and mechanisms of action of frondoside A, noting its potential in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Despite promising preclinical results, the article emphasizes the need for further research on optimized extraction, delivery methods, safety, efficacy, and detailed pharmacokinetics to support clinical applications.