ABSTRACT

An array of biologically active compounds with unique, novel structures and pharmacological properties has been reported to occur in marine sponges. The present study provides information about extracts of Spongosorites ha-lichondriodes, a marine sponge collected from western coast of India. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ef-fects were investigated in vitro and in vivo experimental models. None of the extracts showed significant antioxi-dant activity. N-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol extracts of S. halichondriodes were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced paw edema in Wistar rats, and compared to a positive control, diclo-fenac. The anti-inflammatory effect was investigated in vitro and experimental model in rats. The acute toxicity study of the methanolic extract on Wistar male rats exhibited an LD50 value of more than 5000 mg/kg with no be-havioural changes. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol extract from S. halichondriodes (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) were tested for anti-inflammatory activity. Ethyl acetate extract reduced hind paw swelling significantly with incre-asing dose at 200 and 500 mg/kg. No mortality was observed with increasing dose up to 500 mg/kg for intraperito-neal administration. The extract of the marine sponge S. halichondriodes possessed good anti-inflammatory acti-vity. Therefore it can be further taken for studying the bioactive compounds responsible for the activity. As new marine bioactives are recently gaining importance, they could be helpful in combating chronic inflammatory dege-nerative conditions.