Recent Reports on Bioactive Compounds from Marine Cyanobacteria in Relation to Human Health Applications

The ocean is a valuable natural resource that contains numerous biologically active compounds with various bioactivities. The marine environment comprises unexplored sources that can be utilized to isolate novel compounds with bioactive properties. Marine cyanobacteria are an excellent source of bioactive compounds that have applications in human health, biofuel, cosmetics, and bioremediation. These cyanobacteria exhibit bioactive properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-diabetic, anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-obesity effects, making them promising candidates for drug development. In recent decades, researchers have focused on isolating novel bioactive compounds from different marine cyanobacteria species for the development of therapeutics for various diseases that affect human health. This review provides an update on recent studies that explore the bioactive properties of marine cyanobacteria, with a particular focus on their potential use in human health applications.

The inhibition of the particulate matter-induced intrinsic apoptosis through metal-chelating in MLE-12 cells

Particulate matter containing transition metals has known to cause adverse health impacts. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are overproduced by Fenton reaction of transition metal ions and occur to oxidative DNA damage with the induction of intrinsic apoptosis. Sargassum horneri, a brown alga, is one of rich sources for health functional compounds which can chelate transition metals. In this study, the inhibition of the PM-induced intrinsic apoptosis pathway by S. horneri ethanol extract (SHE) through metal-chelating in MLE-12 cells was investigated. When MLE-12 cells were exposed to PM, the titanium and iron contents were 1.05 and 4.55 Wt.%, respectively. However, after the SHE treatment at 125 μg/mL, they were significantly reduced to 0.35 and 0.02 Wt.%. Additionally, the reduction of iron concentration was observed at 62.5 μg/mL of SHE treatment which revealed the metal-chelating effect of SHE. The expressions of P53, Bax, Cytochrome-c, and cleaved caspase-3 involved in the intrinsic apoptosis were activated in MLE-12 after PM exposure and they were decreased by the SHE treatment at 62.5 and 125 μg/mL. On the other hand, the expression of caspase-8 related to the extrinsic apoptosis was not cleaved by PM exposure in MLE-12, which meant PM induced only intrinsic cell death. These results suggested that SHE can inhibit the PM-induced intrinsic apoptosis through metal-chelating in MLE-12.

Funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea (Project NO. 20172085).

Characterization of the shark myelin Po protein

Myelin, the insulating sheath made by extensive plasma membrane wrapping, is dependent on the presence of highly adhesive molecules that keep the two sides of the membrane in tight contact. The Po glycoprotein (Po) is the major component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin of mammals. The exact role that Po protein has played in the evolution of myelin is still unclear, but several phylogenetic observations suggest that it is a crucial component in the development of myelin as a multi-lamellar membrane structure. Sharks, which appeared in the fossil record about 400 million years ago, are the first fully myelinated organisms. In this study we investigated the expression pattern of shark myelin Po to suggest a way it might have played a role in the evolution of myelin in the central nervous system. We found that sharks have more than two isoforms (32, 28 and 25 kD), and that some of these might not be fully functional because they lack the domains known for Po homophilic adhesion.

Puppets for Prevention: "playing safe is playing smart"

Successful use of puppetry for education of children is well documented in literature. However, in this age of mechanically animated toys and sophisticated children, we have matched realism with an element of high technology for optimal learning experience. This 15-minute video is the basis for a burn prevention and education program entitled "Puppets for Prevention." The video is a creative and lively discussion between two puppets. The dialogue is delivered in a manner that is not threatening. It covers the child's hospitalization, types of burns and how they heal, feelings on scarring and returning to school as well as the conventional preventive measures. The realism in the video comes from the puppets, which have been specially constructed to teach children about burns, skin grafts, donor sites, and rehabilitative garments. High technology comes from the use of the puppets' pretaped accounts incorporated with the actual puppet show creating a completely integrated presentation. Initial response has been overwhelmingly positive. Our survey of one control group one week after viewing the puppet show demonstrated that all found it favorable. Forty percent remembered basic first aid and 65% mentioned significant points of the presentation. We plan to continue ongoing evaluations with the estimated 1,500 children who will view our program this school year.