Diversity of Polyhydroxynaphthoquinone Pigments in North Pacific Sea Urchins

Abstract

Using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD/MS) we investigated the composition of polyhydroxynaphthoquinone (PHNQ) pigments from sea urchins Strongylocentrotus pallidus, St. polyacanthus, St. droebachiensis, Brisaster latifrons and Echinarachnius parma, collected in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea. Identification of PHNQ pigments from sea urchins St. polyacanthus, B. latifrons, and E. parma was performed for the first time. Among the usual PHNQ pigments, mono- and dimethoxy derivatives of spinochrome E, not previously found in other sea urchins, were discovered in St. polyacanthus and St. droebachiensis. In St. droebachiensis, two monomethoxy derivatives of echinochrome A were detected, isolated previously from only tropical sea urchins. It was found that the composition and total content of pigments of St. droebachiensis depends on the collection area of the sea urchins and its depth and varies from 88 to 331 μg/g of dry shells. Sea urchins St. pallidus, B. latifrons and E. parma had average values for PHNQ pigment content, approximately 30 μg/g, and St. polyacanthus had a low PHNQ content, 13 μg/g.

PHNQ from Evechinus chloroticus Sea Urchin Supplemented with Calcium Promotes Mineralization in Saos-2 Human Bone Cell Line

“…The determination of the cytotoxicity of PHNQs from other species of sea urchins has been reported previously in the literature [ 7 , 29 , 30 ]. Because PHNQs have been interesting candidates for potential effects on human health, one previous study investigated the cytotoxicity of PHNQs on human HeLa cells using the MTT assay [ 7 ] to evaluate the possibility of future pharmacological application.…”

“…A full description of the characterisation of the compounds is reported in Hou et al [ 3 ]. The method was conducted according to the method of Vasileva et al [ 29 ]. Before analysis, samples were filtered through a 0.2 μm PTFE syringe filter (Axiva).…”

In Silico Analysis of Sea Urchin Pigments as Potential Therapeutic Agents Against SARS-CoV-2: Main Protease (Mpro) as a Target.

“…EchA is the active compound of Histochrome™ and Gistochrome™, two Russian preparations for cardiopathies and glaucoma diseases. There is a large amount of literature regarding EchA uses (Jeong et al, 2014;Lebed'ko et al, 2015;Oh et al, 2019;Vasileva et al, 2017). The pharmacological activity observed in patients with various health issues, together with the identified low toxicity profiles, strongly support the potential and therapeutic benefits of these natural pigments for the treatment of various human diseases, particularly inflammation, cardioprotection and diabetes (Shikov et al, 2018).…”

“…The antiviral activity of EchA with ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol has been hypothesized also to be a result of the interference with the redox imbalance normally caused by these viruses, resulting in no cytotoxicity (Di Sotto et al, 2018). EchA has the ability to improve oxygen supply to peripheral tissues and due to its antioxidant power it protects the mitochondria, improving the rate of oxygen consumption, the production of ATP and the regulation of the transcription of some genes (Vasileva et al, 2017).…”

“…In Chinese medicine, sea urchin roe is known for its benefits to the heart, bones, blood and also it counteracts impotence. Sea urchins can have different types of pigments such as carotenoids (astanxanthin, fucoxanthin and β-carotene) and 1,4-naphtoquinones polihydroxilate (commonly known as Spinochromes) (Cirino et al, 2017;Vasileva et al, 2017). Currently, there are now numerous studies that demonstrate the use of pigments to prevent cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as their antidiabetic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-age-related macular degeneration, anticancer, and immunostimulatory effects (Serive and Bach, 2018).…”