Medicinal Uses
"Because of the remarkable uniformity of all living things, particularly at the genetic and molecular level, plants, animals, and microbes contain a virtually endless supply of potential medicines for human diseases." “Sponges are basically repositories for many species of symbiotic bacteria and other microflora that actually perform the biosynthesis of the isolated chemical species.” |
The biodiversity found in coral reefs is unmatched by any other ecosystem on the planet. For thousands of years, medicines have been derived from the environment to treat diseases and relieve suffering. As a result of technological advances, the compounds for many new medicines are synthesized in a lab based on specific known physical and chemical properties. However, these compounds are patterned after and designed to mimic their natural counterparts from plants, animals, and microbes. Coral reefs provide invaluable resources that have not been fully tapped to reach their full pharmaceutical potential and, for this reason, it is nearly impossible to comprehend their true importance.
Due to the varying geographic features of coral reefs, speed is not always the best adaption to avoid predation. Instead, many organisms rely on chemical compounds that have been developed by nature over the course of more than four billion years in order to ward off predators. In essence, these compounds have undergone clinical trials conducted by nature, itself. Those chemicals that proved ineffective for protection and survival purposes simply no longer exist, leaving only the most potent behind. "Because of the remarkable uniformity of all living things, particularly at the genetic and molecular level, plants, animals, and microbes contain a virtually endless supply of potential medicines for human diseases." So far, organisms found in coral reefs have been used to develop drugs to induce and ease labor as well as to treat a wide variety of diseases such as, cancer, asthma, arthritis, ulcers, heart disease, and bacterial infections. Simply because there is not yet a known cure for cancer, the compounds that have been discovered so far are of special interest to scientists and researchers. Several decades ago, researchers discovered and isolated a compound that was developed into the first marine-derived cancer drug, called Cytosar-U. The main active compound in the drug has been integral in fighting the spread of leukemia and lymphoma within the human body. Since then, several more anti-cancer drugs, even more effective than Cytosar-U have been developed from other species found in coral reefs. For example, tunicates, also known as sea squirts, are the source of a compound referred to as ecteinascidin, which has excited scientists because it has been proven effective in killing cancer cells as well as safe for human use. Since its purchase by the Spanish pharmaceutical company, PharmaMar, the drug has been renamed Yondelis and is currently being clinically tested for treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas as well as other cancers. Other reef organisms that seem to offer promising potential for the development of anti-cancer drugs are sea sponges. Scientists began research with sea sponges by collecting sea sponges in the western Pacific, near Japan, as well as in the eastern Indian Ocean, off the coast of New Zealand, and studying the properties of the halichondrin B. Interestingly, according to Dr. Kenneth Feldman of Penn State University, "Sponges are basically repositories for many species of symbiotic bacteria and other microflora that actually perform the biosynthesis of the isolated chemical species." Initial testing, revealing the cytotoxic qualities of the compound, excited the scientific community. However, the scientists encountered a problem with the availability of sufficient material. In order to solve the problem, a massive collection effort was launched, harvesting an astounding 2,200 pounds of sea sponge only to produce 300 milligrams of halichondrin B (approximately the weight of a single aspirin tablet). This presented a serious issue with regard to sustainability, which sparked an interest in the aquaculture of sea sponges. At the same time, a researcher from Harvard University isolated part of the halichondrin B structure, allowing him to synthesize an analogue from the parent compound. This derivative is referred to as E7389 and appears to have solved all of the problems surrounding the sustainability of sea sponges. More importantly, E7389 is simpler in its structure, which makes it a more attractive candidate for the development of drugs. In fact, Phase II trials, using the derivative to treat lung and breast cancer are currently underway at the National Cancer Institute. Another promising avenue for research involves the venom produced by the cone snail, inhabiting coral reefs in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The venom is highly toxic and allows the cone snail to stun its prey, rendering it unable to move. While this may seem extreme for use in humans, scientists have isolated specific compounds in the venom that can serve as a painkiller, 1,000 times stronger than morphine for treating chronic pain. The drug, since named Prialt, was developed by a pharmaceutical company in Ireland and is designed to jam transmissions of the central nervous system in order to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Seeing as though there are more than 500 species of cone snails around the world scientists are optimistic that their venom will be the source of many more treatment options for chronic pain, such as arthritis. |
References
1. http://www.chgeharvard.org/topic/medicines-nature
2. http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/medbydesign/chapter3.html
3. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/kf/
2. http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/medbydesign/chapter3.html
3. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/kf/