Free radical and reactive oxygen species scavenging activities of the extracts from seahorse, Hippocampus kuda Bleeler

Immunomodulatory Compounds from the Sea: From the Origins to a Modern Marine Pharmacopoeia

From sea shores to the abysses of the deep ocean, marine ecosystems have provided humanity with valuable medicinal resources. The use of marine organisms is discussed in ancient pharmacopoeias of different times and geographic regions and is still deeply rooted in traditional medicine. Thanks to present-day, large-scale bioprospecting and rigorous screening for bioactive metabolites, the ocean is coming back as an untapped resource of natural compounds with therapeutic potential. This renewed interest in marine drugs is propelled by a burgeoning research field investigating the molecular mechanisms by which newly identified compounds intervene in the pathophysiology of human diseases. Of great clinical relevance are molecules endowed with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties with emerging applications in the management of chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Here, we review the historical development of marine pharmacology in the Eastern and Western worlds and describe the status of marine drug discovery. Finally, we discuss the importance of conducting sustainable exploitation of marine resources through biotechnology.

Morphological, molecular identification and evaluation of antioxidant activity of seahorses from the Moroccan coasts

Seahorses, part of the small marine teleost fish family Syngnathidae, are increasingly under threat due to habitat degradation and overfishing. Notably used in traditional Chinese medicine, these fish have demonstrated significant pharmacological and cosmetic properties. In Morocco, however, seahorses are minimally exploited. This study aims to explore the biodiversity of Moroccan seahorses, focusing on identifying species from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts both morphologically and molecularly, and evaluating their antioxidant activity. The research involved collecting 62 dried seahorses from local fishermen. These specimens were subjected to detailed morphological and molecular identification through the DNA barcoding method, concentrating on the mitochondrial marker Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene. Following DNA extraction and amplification, the sequences were analyzed for species identification and phylogenetic relationships. Additionally, the antioxidant activities of the seahorses were quantified using assays such as ABTS, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum, and β-carotene-linoleic acid. The combined morphological and molecular analyses consistently identified all specimens as Hippocampus hippocampus, and phylogenetic trees suggested a close relation with European and Turkish counterparts. Furthermore, the antioxidant assays revealed significant activity, with the ABTS assay showing an IC50 of 14.571 mg/mL ± 0.334, and the β-carotene-linoleic acid assay showing an IC50 of 1.273 mg/mL ± 0.166. The reducing power and phosphomolybdenum assays recorded EC50 values of 1.868 mg/mL ± 0.033 and 1.156 mg/mL ± 0.112, respectively. These results confirm the high antioxidant potential of Moroccan seahorses, suggesting their therapeutic value and necessitating measures for their biodiversity preservation at a national level.

Extraction Optimization, Structural Characterization, and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Cassia Seed (Cassia obtusifolia)

In order to explore Cassia seed polysaccharides (CSPs) as natural antioxidants for application in the functional-food industry, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was optimized for the extraction of CSPs by using a response surface methodology. Furthermore, the chemical structures and antioxidant activities of CSPs extracted by MAE and hot water extraction were investigated and compared. The maximum extraction yield of CSPs extracted by MAE (8.02 ± 0.19%) was obtained at the optimized extraction parameters as follows: microwave power (415 W), extraction time (7.0 min), and ratio of water to raw material (51 mL/g). Additionally, the contents of the uronic acids, molecular weight, ratio of constituent monosaccharides, intrinsic viscosities, and degrees of esterification of CSPs were significantly affected by the MAE method. Moreover, CSPs exhibited remarkable 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) ABTS, 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl DPPH, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities as well as reducing power. The high antioxidant activities observed in CSPs extracted by MAE could be partially attributed to its low molecular weights and high content of unmethylated galacturonic acid. Results indicate that the MAE method could be an efficient technique for the extraction of CSPs with high antioxidant activity, and CSPs could be further explored as functional food ingredients.

Free radical scavenging activity of the peptide from the Alcalase hydrolysate of the edible aquacultural seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis)

Seahorses, Hippocampus abdominalis, have a long history in traditional Chinese medicine as an important healthy ingredient in foods. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of an enzymatic hydrolysate prepared from a seahorse bred in Jeju, South Korea. Experiments were performed in vitro using electron spin resonance spectrometry (ESR) to determine the free radical scavenging activity and in vivo using a zebrafish model to determine the protective effects against 2,2-azobis hydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative damage. H. abdominalis protein hydrolysate (HPH) exhibited peroxyl radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀  = 0.58 mg/ml) generated by the water-soluble AAPH (azo initiator of peroxyl radicals). HPH reduced dose-dependently both intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in AAPH-induced cells and cell death in AAPH-induced zebrafish embryos. The antioxidant peptide purified from HPH was identified as a tripeptide (alanine-glycine-aspartic acid) using Q-TOF ESI mass spectroscopy. Thus, this study demonstrated that HPH contains antioxidant peptides that exhibit a strong antioxidant activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Hippocampus abdominalis is one of the largest seahorse species and cultivated in many countries. Because of its large body size compared to other seahorse species, H. abdominalis has acquired considerable consumer attraction in the global market. Owing to its biologically useful properties, it recently gained attention as the natural products obtained from H. abdominalis have varied applications in the field of medicine, health care products, and functional foods. Thus, commercial products of this particular seahorse species are popular among customers, especially in China. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant property of H. abdominalism, cultured in a commercial seahorse farm in Jeju Island. Owing to its prominent antioxidant activity, it could be used as an ingredient in medicinal preparations, nutraceuticals, and functional foods.

2'-Hydroxy-5'-methoxyacetophenone attenuates the inflammatory response in LPS-induced BV-2 and RAW264.7 cells via NF-κB signaling pathway

Seahorse has been used as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asian countries for a long time. A compound, 2'-Hydroxy-5'-Methoxyacetophenone (2H5M) isolated from seahorse, Hippocampus kuda, was tested for its anti-inflammatory effect in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells and RAW264.7 cells. MTT assay indicated that 2H5M has no cytotoxicity on two kinds of cells. The concentration of nitric oxide (NO) measured by Griess Reaction System showed that 2H5M could significantly inhibit the NO concentration. The ELISA results showed that 2H5M could suppress the secretion of TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, western blot analysis was utilized to measure the protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that 2H5M reduced NF-κB DNA binding activity. Furthermore, the molecular docking study showed that 2H5M can form active sites with NF-κB. Collectively, these results indicated that 2H5M possesses anti-inflammatory effects and may have a potential application in inflammatory disorders in the future.

Effect of Three-spot Seahorse Petroleum Ether Extract on Lipopolysaccharide Induced Macrophage RAW264.7 Inflammatory Cytokine Nitric Oxide and Composition Analysis

Three-Spot seahorse is a traditional medicine in Asian countries. However, the alcohol extract is largely unknown for its anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed at elucidating fraction of potent anti-inflammatory activity of seahorse. A systematic solvent extraction method of liquid-liquid fractionation of ethanol crude extract gave four fractions petroleum ether (PE), and ethyl acetate (EtOAc), water saturated butanol (n-BuOH), water (H2O). In this study, PE extract was selected for further study after preliminary screening test, and was connected to silica column chromatography and eluted with different polarity of mobile phases, and obtained four active fractions (Fr I, Fr II, Fr III, Fr IV). Effect of separated fractions on inflammation was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated murine RAW264.7 cells in vitro. The result shows that seahorse extract was capable of inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) significantly in a dose dependent manner and exhibited no notable cytotoxicity on cell viability. IC50 of fraction IV was 36.31 μg/mL, indicating that separated fraction possessed potent NO inhibitory activity against LPS-induced inflammatory response, thus, demonstrated its in vitro anti-inflammatory potentiality, it may be at least partially explained by the presence of anti-inflammation active substances, phenolic compounds, phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It could be suggested that seahorse lipid-soluble components could be used in functional food and anti-inflammatory drug preparations.

The genus Hippocampus--a review on traditional medicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological properties

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Several species from the genus Hippocampus have been widely used as a traditional medicine or invigorant with long history in China. Five species of them have been recorded in Chinese pharmacopoeia with name Hippocampus (Chinese name Haima [symbol: see text]). The ethnopharmacologial history of this genus indicated that they possess anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, anti-prostatic hyperplasia activities and can be used for the treatment of tumor, aging, fatigue, thrombus, inflammatory, hypertension and impotence. This review focuses on the traditional medicinal uses of Hippocampus species, as well as the phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies on this genus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To provide an overview of the ethnopharmacology, chemical constituents, pharmacology and clinical applications of the genus Hippocampus, and to reveal their therapeutic potentials and being an evidence base for further research works of the Hippocampus. Information on the Hippocampus species was collected from scientific journals, books, thesis and reports based on the Chinese herbal classic literature and worldwide accepted scientific databases via a library and electronic search (PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer, Web of Science and CNKI).

RESULTS

A survey of literature revealed that the major chemical constituents of Hippocampus are sterides, essential amino acids, fatty acids and microelements. Experimental evidences confirmed that the Hippocampus could be used in treating tumor, aging, fatigue, thrombus, inflammatory, hypertension, prostatic hyperplasia and impotence. The most important function of Hippocampus in TCM is invigorating kidney-yang. The key traditional uses of Hippocampus have been investigated in vitro and in vivo, but their mechanism and clinical trial data are needed, and the sustainable exploitation of the endangered Hippocampus species should be considered. This literature analysis of traditional medicinal uses and experimental chemical and pharmacological data of Hippocampus provide a scientific basis for future research.

CONCLUSIONS

Hippocampus is a promising traditional medicine and holds great potential for being exploited as healthy products and drugs. Aquaculture and substitutes of Hippocampus are valid approaches to protect Hippocampus form being endangered species.

Extraction of water-soluble polysaccharide and the antioxidant activity from Semen cassiae

Water-soluble polysaccharide was isolated from Semen cassiae using water for extraction and ethanol for deposition. The optimized conditions for polysaccharide isolation by orthogonal experiments were a sample to liquid ratio of 1:30 at 80°C for 3.5 hours; the yield of polysaccharide from Semen cassiae under these conditions was 5.46%. Different polysaccharides (SCPW-1, SCPW-2, SCPW-3, SCPW-4, SCPW-5, SCPS-1, SCPS-2) were obtained from the extract (i.e., crude polysaccharide) by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The polysaccharides obtained showed different structures by Fourier transform infrared therein the five elected from the seven kinds separated. The antioxidant activities of the extract were evaluated. The scavenging rates of the present extract on hydroxyl and superoxide were 43.32% and 64.97%, respectively, at a concentration of polysaccharide of 94.03 μg/mL, which was better than vitamin C at the same concentration. The scavenging rate of the present extract on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl was 13.33% at a polysaccharide concentration of 94.03 μg/mL, which was less than vitamin C at the same concentration.

Improved treatment of Asthma by using natural sources of antioxidants

ABSTRACT

A combined composition of the extracted powders from Hippocampus kuda and Rhizoma Homalomenae together with honey in a form of medical pill (named as BRONAS) for the treatment of asthma has thoroughly been investigated under this study. BRONAS has shown its high anti-inflammatory effects and strong inhibition upon the pathogenesis of asthma. In comparison with other treatments without using BRONAS, the restoration of patients' health was improved by a factor of 2-3.

CLINICAL TRIALS WITH ACTR NUMBER

ACTRN12612000766819.

Seahorses - a source of traditional medicine

Wild marine organisms have been used in the discovery and development of traditional and allopathic medical treatments for a long time. Seahorses, a syngnathidae fish, are one of the important candidate organisms which have been used in Chinese traditional medicine from time immemorial. It is believed that seahorses have the potential to cure infertility, baldness, asthma and arthritis. An authentic research work on the biomedical validation of seahorses proved that they have the ability to cure arthritis and its associated inflammation. A Cathepsin-derived peptide from the seahorse species of Hippocampus kuda proved to be effective in chondrocyte cells and its associated impaired arthritis inflammation. Apart from this, seahorses have a putative free radical scavenging effect in controlling the ageing process. More authentic research is needed in order to validate the biomedical potential. This article highlights the role of seahorses' value in traditional medicine and their biomedical properties.

Conservation and management of seahorses and other Syngnathidae

This article analyses the pressures on seahorses and explores conservation responses. It focuses on seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) but also considers pipefishes and seadragons, especially where they can fill gaps in seahorse knowledge. The charisma of many syngnathids can make them good flagship species for threats and solutions in marine conservation. The article combines a synthesis of published literature with new data on the trade in seahorses for traditional medicine, aquarium display and curiosities. Most traded seahorses come from trawl by-catch, although seahorses are also targeted. The total extraction is large, tens of millions of animals annually, and unsustainable. A first review of the effect of habitat change on syngnathids raises many questions, while suggesting that some species may cope better than others. The combination of pressures means that many species of syngnathid are now included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species or national equivalents. In addition, seahorse exports from 175 countries are limited to sustainable levels under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora. Possible conservation measures include marine protected areas, fisheries management, select aquaculture ventures, trade regulation, improved governance (particularly) and consumer engagement.

Sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicus ethyl acetate fraction modulates the lipopolysaccharide induced iNOS and COX-2 via MAPK signaling pathway in murine macrophages

The sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus is an important food and traditional medicine in Asian countries. However, ethyl acetate solvent fraction of S. japonicus (SCEA-F) is largely unknown for its anti-inflammatory activity and related molecular mechanisms. In this study, effect of SCEA-F on inflammation was investigated in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells. SCEA-F significantly inhibited the productions of NO and PGE(2) by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 at their protein and gene levels. The production and the gene transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines are also inhibited. The responsible molecular signaling for these inhibitory actions was found to be through suppression of the phosphorylation of MAPK molecules; ERK and p38 MAPK. These results indicate that SCEA-F inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response via blocking of MAPK signaling pathway in murine macrophages, thus demonstrated its in vitro anti-inflammatory potential. Therefore it could be suggested that SCEA-F could be effectively used in functional food preparations.