Received: October 8, 2008.

Accepted: March 3, 2009.

Abstract published online: March 23, 2009.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2009.

BIOACTIVITIES OF EXTRACTS FROM THE MARINE SPONGE Halichondria panicea

Purushottama GB (1), Venkateshvaran K (1), Pani Prasad K (2), Nalini P (2)

(1) Laboratory of Aquatic Biotoxinology, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India; (2) Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India.

ABSTRACT: In the present study, we screened the biological activity of extracts from the marine sponge Halichondria panicea collected in the Arabian Sea. Crude toxin was obtained by methanol, chloroform-methanol (2:1) and aqueous extraction. Subsequently, the protein concentration of each crude extract was determined. The impact of both sponge methanolic and aqueous extracts was found to increase activities of Na+-K+ ATP-ase and Mg++ ATP-ase. In the case of chloroform-methanol extract, higher concentrations increased acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity. The methanolic and chloroform-methanol extracts exhibited hemolytic activity on chicken and human erythrocytes, whereas the aqueous extract failed to do so. Methanol and aqueous extracts produced an immunostimulating effect and all extracts revealed angiogenic activity. The aqueous extract yielded nine bands by SDS-PAGE on 12% gel.

KEY WORDS: Halichondria panicea, phagocytosis, neuromodulation, hemolysis, angiogenesis.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

K. VENKATESHVARAN, Aquatic Biotoxinology Laboratory, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Fisheries University Road, Seven Bungalows, Andheri (W), Versova, Mumbai, 400061, India. Phone: +91 22 2636 1446 / 7. Fax: +91 22 2636 1573. Email: venkateshvaran@gmail.com.