ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Unlocking the medical potential of cephalopod ink: a review

Aritra Saha, Shikha Baghel Chauhan, Rajan Swami, and Indu Singh

Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida, India

E-mail: induysingh@gmail.com

Received: 17 July 2025  Accepted: 20 February 2026

Abstract:

The Cephalopods are unique class of marine Animals, such as squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish. Those are well-known for the unique ability to produce ink, primarily as a defense mechanism. This ink, conventionally examined for its role in marine biology, in recent times gathered substantial attention in the medicinal and pharmaceutical fields because of the different therapeutic properties of the ink’s components. This review article targets to reconnoiter the medical prospective of cephalopod ink, emphasizing its chemical composition, biological activities, and potential therapeutic uses. The main constituents of cephalopod ink, containing melanin, proteins, lipids, and numerous biologically active molecules, displays antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The review looks into the depths of current research on the extraction, characterization, and pharmacological estimation of cephalopod ink components, highlighting their pivotal role in developing novel therapeutic products. By organizing and critically scrutinizing existing studies, this review pursues to reveal new boulevards for cephalopod ink in drug development, inspiring further exploration into its medical applications and setting the foundation for forthcoming advancements in biomedicine.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Cephalopod ink; Bio-active compounds; Melanin; Antimicrobial activity; Anticancer properties; Therapeutic applications

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04762-0

Chemical Papers 80 (7) 7189–7205 (2026)