Marina Extract Research Articles

Autophagy Inhibition Enhances the Mitochondrial-Mediated Apoptosis Induced by Mangrove (Avicennia marina) Extract in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Autophagy Inhibition Enhances the Mitochondrial-Mediated Apoptosis Induced by Mangrove (Avicennia marina) Extract in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Efficacy of Botanical Fungicides against Curvularia lunata at Molecular Levels

Juniperus procera and Avicennia marina extracts were tested for their antifungal activity against Curvularia lunata isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.). Eextracts were able to supress C. lunata at high concentration 3 mg/ml. J. procera extract retarted the growth C. lunata by 88.42% while A. marina extract was less effective (37.50%). Nucleic acids content of C. lunata was reduced by both plant extracts especially J. procera extract in a distinct reverse proportion relationship when compared with the untreated samples. The antifungal effect of J. procera and A. marina extracts were explored at the molecular level, using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The results demonstrated polymorphic banding pattern. Secondary metabolites analysis of C. lunata revealed that both plants extracts were capable of blocking biosynthesis of some secondary metabolites including curvulalic acid and lunatin.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from mangrove plant (Avicennia marina) extract and their potential mosquito larvicidal property.

To identify the larvicidal activities of silver nanoparticles synthesised with Avicennia marina leaf extract against the larvae of Aedes aegypti and Anopheleus stephensi, in vitro larvicidal activities such as LC50 and LC90 were assessed. Further, characterisation such as UV and FTIR analysis were carried out for the synthesised silver nanoparticles. The LC50 value of the synthesised silver nanoparticles was identified as 4.374 and 7.406mg/L for An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti larvae respectively. Further, the LC90 values are also identified as 4.928 and 9.865mg/L for An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti species respectively. The synthesised silver nanoparticles have maximum absorption at 420nm with the average size of 60-95nm. The FTIR data showed prominent peaks in (3940.57, 3929.00, 3803.63, 3712.97, 2918.30, 2231.64, 1610.50, 1377.17, 1257.59, 1041.59, 1041.56, 775.38, 667.37 and 503.21) different ranges. The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with leaf aqueous extract of A. marina provides potential source for the larvicidal activity against mosquito borne diseases. The present study proved the mosquitocidal properties of silver nanoparticles synthesised from mangroves of Vellar estuary. This is an ideal eco-friendly approach for the vector control programs.

Antifungal potential of mangrove extracts against Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium italicum

The interest in plants antimicrobial properties has been revived because of the current problems associated with the use of antibiotics. Nowadays, the fact that microorganisms tend to develop drug resistance, besides the side effects of certain antibiotics has offered considerable potentials for the development of new effective antifungal and antioxidant agents; medicinal plants are prolific sources. Avicennia marina , commonly known as grey mangrove, is a species of mangrove tree classified in the plant family Acanthaceae . The aim of this experimental study is determination of antifungal effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Avicennia marina on Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium italicum ”in vitro” . In this study, quantitative bioassay was done using disc diffusion method, Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was carried out using broth dilution methods. The results showed that the ethanol extract of Avicennia marina leaves with “antimicrobial activity method” in 2000 μg/ml, were inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium italicum . In “disk agar diffusion test” the mentioned extract were shown inhibiti on effect on pathogenic molds growth (p<0.05). The result showed that MIC of ethanolic extract of Avicenna marina leaves for Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium italicum was 16 and 8 mg/ml respectively. The results showed that MFC of ethanolic extract of Avicenna marina for Aspergillus flavus was 32 mg/ml, and for Penicillium italicum was 16 mg/ml. Ethanolic extract compared to the aqueous extract was more effective and has a greater inhibition effect. This study showed that the extract of Avicennia marina had antifungal effects that justify their traditional use as medicinal plants. Finally, the data suggested that Avicennia marina extracts could have notable antifungal effects.

Antiproliferative activity of Rhinella marina and Rhaebo guttatus venom extracts from Southern Amazon

The venom of amphibians is a fascinating source of active substances. In view of their medical importance and aiming to explore the amazing Brazilian biodiversity, we conducted bioprospecting of antiproliferative activity in extracts of Rhinella marina and Rhaebo guttatus toads occurring in the Southern Amazon of Mato Grosso, Brazil. LC–MS and HPLC analysis of the venom extracts of R. marina revealed four bufadienolides (telocinobufagin – 1, marinobufagin – 2, bufalin – 3 and resibufogenin – 4). R. guttatus venom extracts contained only marinobufagin (2). First, R. marina and R. guttatus venom extracts were evaluated for cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines by the MTT assay. All extracts revealed cytotoxicity, where R. marina extracts were comparable to doxorubicin (IC50 values ranging from 0.01 to 0.23 μg/mL). Only extracts of R. guttatus toad venom caused membrane disruption of human erythrocytes. The extracts were investigated for selective activity by determining their effect on stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with the Alamar Blue™ assay. The extracts were up to 80-fold more selective against leukemia cells when compared to dividing leukocytes. Aiming to confirm these antiproliferative effects, BrdU incorporation into DNA was measured in HL-60 treated cells with R. marina venom extracts. These extracts decreased BrdU incorporation at both concentrations tested. In summary, nine extracts of R. marina and R. guttatus venom showed pronounced lethal and discriminating effects on tumor lines, especially those from R. marina, highlighting toad parotoid gland secretions as a promising source for novel lead anticancer chemicals.

Effect of Marine Mangrove Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh Against Acetic Acid−Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Experimental Mice

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two conditions that have many features in common and are referred as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with IBD are predisposed to colorectal cancer. This investigation evaluates the effect of marine mangrove Avicennia marina against acetic acid-induced colitis. The treatment of A marina extract significantly decreased the colonic lipid peroxides, glutathione peroxidase, and serum nitric oxide and significantly increased the colonic and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels compared with colitis control. In addition, A marina extract significantly decreased the lesion score and wet colon weight compared with colitis control. Treatment with A marina extract reflects its therapeutic activity against UC by minimal damage of colonic epithelial cells compared with colitis control during histopathologic examination. These protective role of A marina extract against UC could be attributed to the presence of higher levels of decanoic acid, diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA), pentanoic acid, pyrrolidine, 4-chlorophenyl, thiazolidinones, and arabinopyranoside (flavonoid). These findings suggest that A marina extract could be useful as a potential (natural) therapeutic agent for IBD.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Zostera marina L. Extract

Methanol crude extract of the sea grass Zostera marina L. and organic solvent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) were screened for antioxidant activity (total phenolic contents, DPPH scavenging activity, and reducing power) and antimicrobial activity against three human skin pathogens, two bacteria and a yeast; Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans. Total phenolic contents and 2, 2diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity were highest in the ethyl acetate fraction with 968.50 μg gallic acid equivalent per milligram of extract, and ca. 95% scavenging activity on the DPPH radicals at 10 mg ml –1 . In antimicrobial activity tests, MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of each Zostera marina extract partitioned ranged from 1mg to 8 mg ml –1 (extract/ 10% DMSO) against all three human skin pathogens. The MICs of the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were the same with 1 mg ml –1 against S. aureus and C. albicans. The ethyl acetate fraction of Z. marina does protect against free radicals and may be used to inhibit the growth of human skin pathogens.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of different mangrove plant extracts

Antibacterial activity of mature leaves, tender leaves and bark extracts of Avicennia marina, Avicennia officinalis and Bruguiera sexangula were evaluated using Soxhelt extraction method. Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol were used as solvents in order to get the plant extracts. The antibacterial activity was screened by using agar diffusion technique against pathogenic bacteria species of Staphylococcus sp. (from urine), Proteus sp. (from a wound), Escherichia coli (from infected blood), Shigella sp. (from a wound) and Pseudomonas sp. (from a wound). The length of inhibition zone was measured in millimeters from the edge of the well to the edge of the inhibition zone. Twelve different plant extracts in A. marina, A. officinalis and B. sexangula exhibited different degree of growth inhibition against tested bacterial strains. Mature leaf extracts of A. marina and tender leaf extracts of A. officinalis in ethyl acetate exhibited promising antibacterial activity than other plant extracts. All plant extracts in ethyl acetate showed strong inhibition compared to other extracts on all tested bacterial strains. Among all bacterial strains, Pseudomonas sp. and E. coli showed considerable growth inhibition against almost all plant extracts. Mature leaf extract of only A. marina was used for further investigations since a large amount of tender leaves of A. officinalis was not readily available. Charcoal treated mature leaf extracts of A. marina showed more inhibition for all tested bacterial strains than untreated plant extracts. Combinations of mature leaf extracts of A. marina in different solvents failed to exhibit synergistic activity against tested bacterial strains. Most combinations showed antagonistic effect against Proteus sp., E. coli and Shigella sp. Antibacterial activity of plant extracts of A. marina gradually declined during 4 months after extraction, for all tested bacterial strains. Components of mature leaf extracts of A. marina in chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol were separated by Analytical Thin Layer Chromatography (ATLC) when the eluents were hexane and diethyl ether. Isolated components in Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (PTLC) exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas sp., Shigella sp. and E. coli. Separated components did not show any antibacterial activity against Proteus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Phytochemical screening revealed that mature leaf of A. marina contained alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids and flavonoids.

Chemical alarm signalling in the polychaete Nereis (Neanthes) virens (Sars) (Annelida: Polychaeta)

Many aquatic organisms use chemical signals as a method of detecting the presence of a predator, but it is not known whether annelids do so. Nereis (Neanthes) virens is a common intertidal marine polychaete that is vulnerable to predation from aquatic predators, such as crustacean and fish species, when it partially leaves its burrow. We investigated whether chemical cues associated with predation affect the feeding activity of this polychaete. Exposure of N. virens to conspecific whole-body extracts significantly reduced out-of-burrow activity and the number of individuals feeding in comparison to a sea water control. The addition of whole-body extracts of the congener N. diversicolor, both sexes of the sympatric Arenicola marina and muscle extract of the flatfish predator Pleuronectes platessa (plaice) did not significantly reduce activity levels. The fish muscle extract, however, did significantly reduce the number of individuals feeding. The pattern of activity and timing of feeding through the scotophase was not altered in the presence of extracts, although feeding did occur during the photophase.

The protozoa dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina contains selenoproteins and the relevant translation apparatus

In the phylogenetic tree, selenoproteins and the corresponding translation machinery are found in Archaea, Eubacteria, and animals, but not in fungi and higher plants. As very little is known about Protozoa, we searched for the presence of selenoproteins in the primitive dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina, belonging to the Protoctista kingdom. Four selenoproteins could be obtained from O. marina cells cultured in the presence of 75 Se . Using O. marina or bovine liver cytosolic extracts, we could serylate and selenylate in vitro total O. marina tRNAs. Moreover, the existence of a tRNA Sec could be deduced from in vivo experiments. Lastly, an anti-serum against the specialized mammalian translation elongation factor mSelB reacted with a protein of 48-kDa molecular mass. Altogether, our data showed that O. marina contains selenoproteins and suggests that the corresponding translation machinery is related to that found in animals.