Schistosomicidal potential investigation of marine invertebrates belonging to the Ascidiacea family

Abstract

The search for new pharmaceutically active agents from natural sources has led to the discovery of many clinically useful drugs that play major roles in the treatment of human diseases. As a source of such compounds, the marine environment is showing vast potential, several marine-derived products being approved for used for against human diseases or ailments and many more in development. The aim of this research is to identify new structural classes of natural products produced by Brazilian marine organisms of the Class Ascidiacea (ascidians) and evaluate their potential as schistosomicidal and antimicrobial agents. Bioassay directed fractionation of extracts of the marine organisms will be used for the isolation of the active principal(s), which will then be subjected to extensive biological evaluation. Counter-screening against cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the natural products will be also investigated. Bioassay guided fractionation will allow the isolation of the biologically active natural products, while the challenge of their structure solution will be achieved by extensive use of 2-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Once structurally identified, the semi-synthesis of analogues will be undertaken to further explore structure-activity relationships. This project will contribute to the identification of novel classes of schistosomicidal and antimicrobial agents, diseases that are in desperate need for new chemotherapeutic agents. (AU)