The most important b~ological and biochemcal methods with potential for the prevention of biofouling are descnbed Among these methods, the isolation of biogenic agents produced by several species of micro-and macroalgae and inanne invertebrates with antibacterial, antialgal, anhprotozoan and antlmacrofouhng properties may b e the most promising and effective method for the prevention of biofoul~ng The isolated substances with the most potent a n t~o u l a n t actlvlty are fatty a c~d s , terpenes terpenoids, hpoproteins, glycolipids, phenols, lactons, peptides and steroids The advantage of the utilization of micro-and macroalgae for the isolation of biogenic agents is that algae can be cultivated m a short tlme in mass culture, independent of season Furthermore, they can b e manipulated to a large extent in the direct~on of the 'production of biogenic agents' However, the cultivation of m c r o -and macroalgae is very expensive Manne Invertebrates must be collected In certain seasons This collection of manne invertebrates could lead to an uncontrolled explo~tation of marlne organisms and to a change in the balance of marine ecosystems. Therefore, determination of the chemical structure and the subsequent synthesis of the deterrmned biogenic agents is necessary if marine invertebrates are to be used as producers of biogenic agents. Ant~fouling systems must be both environmentally safe and effective for at least 3 yr when formulated as antifoul~ng paints. There have been a few attempts at t h~s , but no applicable successes have been reported to date KEY WORDS Antifouling . Biofouling Growth inhibition Marine bioactive agents . Macrofoulers .Microfoulers . Settlement

Phytoestrogens have a controversial effect on hormone-dependent tumours. Herein, we investigated the effect of the pumpkin seed extract (PSE) on estradiol production and estrogen receptor (ER)-α/ER-β/progesterone receptor (PR) status on MCF7, Jeg3, and BeWo cells. The PSE was prepared and analyzed by mass spectrometry. MCF7, Jeg3, and BeWo cells were incubated with various concentrations of PSE. Untreated cells served as controls. Supernatants were tested for estradiol production with an ELISA method. Furthermore, the effect of the PSE on ER-α/ER-β/PR expression was assessed by immunocytochemistry. The PSE was found to contain both lignans and flavones. Estradiol production was elevated in MCF7, BeWo, and Jeg3 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In MCF7 cells, a significant ER-α downregulation and a significant PR upregulation were observed. The above results after properly designed animal studies could highlight a potential role of pumpkin seed's lignans in breast cancer prevention and/or treatment.

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The human lignans enterodiol and enterolactone are more biologically active than their precursors secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol, and may be defined as the real drugs in cancer prevention.

Herein we investigated the effect of elderflower extracts (EFE) and of enterolactone/enterodiol on hormone production and proliferation of trophoblast tumor cell lines JEG-3 and BeWo, as well as MCF7 breast cancer cells. The EFE was analyzed by mass spectrometry. Cells were incubated with various concentrations of EFE. Untreated cells served as controls. Supernatants were tested for estradiol production with an ELISA method. Furthermore, the effect of the EFE on ERα/ERβ/PR expression was assessed by immunocytochemistry. EFE contains a substantial amount of lignans. Estradiol production was inhibited in all cells in a concentration-dependent manner. EFE upregulated ERα in JEG-3 cell lines. In MCF7 cells, a significant ERα downregulation and PR upregulation were observed. The control substances enterolactone and enterodiol in contrast inhibited the expression of both ER and of PR in MCF7 cells. In addition, the production of estradiol was upregulated in BeWo and MCF7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. The downregulating effect of EFE on ERα expression and the upregulation of the PR expression in MFC-7 cells are promising results. Therefore, additional unknown substances might be responsible for ERα downregulation and PR upregulation. These findings suggest potential use of EFE in breast cancer prevention and/or treatment and warrant further investigation.