Cytotoxicity and bioactivity of some marine animals

Abstract

Organic extracts of locally occurring animals such as sponge Tethya sp., hermit crab Eupagurus sp., cuttle fish Sepia aculeata, squid Loligo duvaucelli, starfish Asterina lorioli and flat fish Cynoglossus sp. were tested for toxicity, haemolytic activity and larvicidal activity. All extracts were toxic to fish resulting in death of fish accompanied by changes in gills and liver. Chloroform extract of sponge, methanol extract of hermit crab, ether fraction of acetone extract of L. duvaucelli, S. aculeata and Cynoglossus sp. showed strong haemolytic activity. Chromatographic separation of extract of Loligo yielded a highly haemolytic white shining compound, (m.p. 145-146°C). Chloroform extract of starfish was strongly haemolytic than petroleum ether extract. Petroleum ether extract of starfish and sponge showed strong haemolytic activity.