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eCAM Advance Access originally published online on July 21, 2004
eCAM 2004 1(2):133-144; doi:10.1093/ecam/neh030
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© 2004, the authors Evidenced-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol. 1, Issue 2 © Oxford University Press 2004; all rights reserved. The online version of this article has been published under an open access model. Users are entitled to use, reproduce, disseminate, or display the open access version of this article provided that: the original authorship is properly and fully attributed; the Journal and Oxford University Press are attributed as the original place of publication with the correct citation details given; if an article is subsequently reproduced or disseminated not in its entirety but only in part or as a derivative work this must be clearly indicated.

Review

Traditional and Modern Biomedical Prospecting: Part II—the Benefits

Approaches for a Sustainable Exploitation of Biodiversity (Secondary Metabolites and Biomaterials from Sponges)

Werner E.G. Müller1,*, Heinz C. Schröder1, Matthias Wiens1, Sanja Perovic-Ottstadt1, Renato Batel2 and Isabel M. Müller1

1Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Abteilung Angewandte Molekularbiologie, Universität Duesbergweg 6, D-55099 Mainz; Germany, and 2Center for Marine Research, Ruder Boskovic Institute HR-52210 Rovinj, Croatia

The progress in molecular and cell biology has enabled a rational exploitation of the natural resources of the secondary metabolites and biomaterials from sponges (phylum Porifera). It could be established that these natural substances are superior for biomedical application to those obtained by the traditional combinatorial chemical approach. It is now established that the basic structural and functional elements are highly conserved from sponges to the crown taxa within the Protostomia (Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans) and Deuterostomia (human); therefore, it is obvious that the molecular etiology of diseases within the metazoan animals have a common basis. Hence, the major challenge for scientists studying natural product chemistry is to elucidate the target(s) of a given secondary metabolite, which is per se highly active and selective. After this step, the potential clinical application can be approached. The potential value of some selected secondary metabolites, all obtained from sponges and their associated microorganisms, is highlighted. Examples of compounds that are already in medical use (inhibition of tumor/virus growth [arabinofuranosyl cytosine and arabinofuranosyl adenine]), or are being considered as lead structures (acting as cytostatic and anti-inflammatory secondary metabolites [avarol/avarone], causing induction of apoptosis [sorbicillactone]) or as prototypes for the interference with metabolic pathways common in organisms ranging from sponges to humans (modulation of pathways activated by fungal components [aeroplysinin], inhibition of angiogenesis [2-methylthio-1,4-napthoquinone], immune modulating activity [FK506]) are discussed in this study. In addition, bioactive proteins from sponges are listed (antibacterial activity [pore-forming protein and tachylectin]). Finally, it is outlined that the skeletal elements—the spicules—serve as blueprints for new biomaterials, especially those based on biosilica, which might be applied in biomedicine. These compounds and biomaterials have been isolated/studied by members of the German Center of Excellence BIOTECmarin. The goal for the future is to successfully introduce some of these compounds in the treatment of human diseases in order to raise the public awareness on the richness and diversity of natural products, which should be sustainably exploited for human benefit.

Keywords: bioactive compounds – biosilica – evochemistry – natural products – sponges

*For reprints and all correspondence: Prof Dr WEG Müller, Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Abteilung Angewandte Molekularbiologie, Universität, Duesbergweg 6, 55099 Mainz; Germany. Tel: +6131-3925910; Fax: +6131-3925243. E-mail: WMUELLER{at}mail.UNI-MAINZ.de


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Related articles in eCAM:

Commentary on Traditional and Modern Biomedical Prospecting: Part II—The Benefits by Werner E.G. Müller, Heinz C. Schröder, Matthias Wiens, Sanja Perovic-Ottstadt, Renato Batel and Isabel M. Müller: Anti-protozoa and antiviral activities of non-cytotoxic truncated and variant analogues of mussel defensin by P. Roch, A. Beschin and E. Bernard
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eCAM 2004 1: 207-209. [Extract] [FREE Full Text]  



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