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Scientists
have isolated many chemicals from marine organisms that hold promise
as future drugs or as molecular probes, which are used in scientific
research. These
include
Bryostatin
• isolated
from a U.S. west coast bryozoan (a moss animal), it holds promise
in the treatment of various types of cancer.
Cyclomarin
A • extracted
from bacteria found in sediments in the Torrey Pines Estuary in
California, this chemical is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
Debromohymenialdisine
•
found in a very common sponge from Palau, this compound shows promise
for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Didemnin
B • found
in a Caribbean tunicate, it has been tested in human clinical trials
for the treatment of cancer, but there are concerns that it is too
toxic.
Discodermolide
• taken
from a Bahamian sponge, this is a powerful immunosuppressive agent
that could play a role in suppressing organ rejection following
transplant surgery.
Eleutherobin • isolated
from a soft coral found off the coast of Australia, it shows potential
as a taxol-like drug to treat breast and ovarian cancers.
Manoalide
• found
in a sponge, this compound inhibits the action of an enzyme that
plays an important role in biochemical processes that cause pain
and swelling associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis
and poison oak. It is being used as a molecular probe in biomedical
research.
Pseudopterosin
• found
in a Caribbean gorgonian coral, this chemical is used in a cream
that protects the skin from weather damage. It also is being investigated
as an anti-inflammatory for use in conditions such as psoriasis
and contact dermatitis. |
