Abstract
The present study was performed to examine the contraction and relaxation responses of the smooth muscles, and search for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in the tissues, of the starfish Asterina pectinifera. Frozen samples were extracted with distilled water containing 1% acetic acid. Extracts from all tissues showed potent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli D31. Relatively high levels of antimicrobial activity were also detected in the body extracts. Liver, tube feet, and body extracts caused contraction responses in the dorsal retractor muscles (DRM) of the starfish. In contrast, all tissues examined exhibited contractile activity in the esophagus of squid Todarodes pacificus. In addition, liver and gonad extracts caused contraction responses upon application to the intestine of the puffer fish Takifugu pardalis. Relaxation effects on the DRM of starfish were identified in most of the extracts, while no relaxant activity was detected in body extracts. Extracts from all tissues examined also exhibited antioxidant activities. The results of this study suggest that starfish are a potential source of novel bioactive compounds.
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