Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
Open Access

Abstract

Marine invertebrates such as holothurians, also known as sea cucumbers yield a variety of bioactive molecules, including triterpene glycosides (saponins). Elucidating molecular structures of saponins often requires HPCPC ? High Performance Centrifugal Partition Chromatography for optimal purity after initial isolation and fractionation of extracts from visceral samples, which tend to deliver augmented diversity, maximizing yield of bioactive compounds; when compared with samples derived from the body wall of sea cucumbers. Along with their metabolites, these compounds have demonstrated the following biological properties: Biomedical: ? Cytotoxic, Anti-cancer (Chemotherapeutic ? due to Phenols &Flavenoids, Frondanol A) ? Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic ? Antimicrobial (including antiviral, antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic) ? Anti-angiogenesis (due to Philinopside A & E, inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factors) ? Hemolytic, anticoagulant and antithrombotic ? Hypoglycemia and anti-diabetic ? Anti-dementia , neuropathy and demyelinating conditions ? Immunomodulator (Arginine ? enables enhanced T-cell function) ? Cholesterol & Triglyceride lowering effects ? Cardiovascular and antihypertensive ? due to ACE inhibition & vasodilation ? Wound healing properties ? collagen & fatty acids Nutritional: ? Vitamin A ? Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) ? Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) ? Vitamin B3 (Niacin) ? Calcium ? Magnesium ? Iron ? Zinc ? Proteins, Peptides, Amino Acid derivatives ? Enzymes ? Antioxidants ? Glycosides ? Sphingolipids ? Chondroitin Sulfate ? Arginine The wide ranging scope of physiological and biochemical effects of Sea Cucumber extracts, along with a plethora of secondary metabolites, is motivating scientists to pursue further targeted and focused inquiry in order to develop effective precursors for life saving pharmaceuticals, sources of nutraceuticals as well as cosmeceuticals

Biography

George Schroeder is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in addition to having earned a MS in Healthcare Management from the University Of Texas School Of Graduate Management, affiliated with the South Western Medical School, Dallas, Texas. He is a member of the Beta Gama Sigma International Honor Society 2008. Currently he serves as Executive Director of Medical Affairs for the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Urgent Care Medicine. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University Of Central Florida College Of Medicine, in Orlando, Florida.