Biopotential of sea cucumbers (Echinodermata) and tunicates (Chordata) from the western coast of Portugal for the prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses

Chronic diseases are a major burden for health systems and the major cause of morbidity and deaths worldwide. It is well known the importance of inflammation processes and oxidative stress as players in the onset of chronic disorders. Among these, primary osteoporosis, the most common chronic bone disease, finds its pathophysiological roots in the dysregulation of pro-inflammatory processes. Nutraceuticals promise to be important sources of micronutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories for prevention of these disorders. In this context, the marine environment offers an interesting opportunity as source of novel bioactive compounds. We aimed at exploring the potential of two group of marine invertebrates - sea cucumbers (Echinodermata) and tunicates (Chordata) as sources of bioactives. 24 extracts (ethanol, water & ethyl acetate) from 4 species of sea cucumbers and 4 species of tunicates, were produced and screened for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and osteogenic activities. The later was assessed with an in vivo assay using zebrafish larvae. Our findings showed that ethanolic extracts presented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, that revealed to be stronger in the tunicates. The osteogenic activities, which provides evidences of the bioactive potential of these organisms in preventing chronic disorders, was found to be strong in one species of tunicate and 3 of holothurians, and will be subject to further in-depth investigation.

Work funded by: European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 766347; and from FCT through project UIDB/04326/2020.