Immunomodulatory Activity of the Marine Sponge, Haliclona (Soestella) sp. (Haplosclerida: Chalinidae), from Sri Lanka in Wistar Albino Rats: Immunosuppression and Th1-Skewed Cytokine Response

Abstract

Natural secondary metabolites of sponges of the genus Haliclona are associated with an array of biological activity with therapeutic usage. We investigated the immunopharmacological properties of a presumably novel marine sponge species from Sri Lanka, Haliclona (Soestella) sp. Sponge material was collected from southern Sri Lanka by scuba diving. Sponge identification was based on spicule and skeleton morphology using light microscopy. Selected in vivo and ex vivo tests investigated nonfunctional and functional immunomodulatory activity of the Haliclona (Soestella) sp. crude extract (HSCE) in the Wistar rat model. Compared to the controls, rats orally gavaged daily for 14 consecutive days with 15 mg/kg dose of the HSCE manifested a significant reduction of immune cell counts of total WBCs (by 17%; p < 0.01 ), lymphocytes (38%), platelets (52%), splenocytes (20%), and bone marrow cells (BMC; 60%) ( p < 0.001 ), with a concurrent increase in the neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio ( p < 0.05 ); RBC counts abated by 53% ( p < 0.001 ). A significant reduction of the splenosomatic index was evident with the 10 and 15 mg/kg doses ( p < 0.001 ). Rat plasma TNF-α cytokine level was augmented by tenfold ( p < 0.001 ), IL-6 level by twofold ( p < 0.01 ) with the 15 mg/kg HSCE treatment, while IL-10 was detectable in rat plasma only with this treatment; the corresponding Th1 : Th2 cytokine ratio (TNF-α : IL-10) was indicative of an unequivocal Th1-skewed cytokine response ( p < 0.01 ). Ex vivo bone marrow cell and splenocyte proliferation were significantly and dose dependently impaired by HSCE ( I C 50 0.719 and 0.931 μg/mL, respectively; p < 0.05 ). Subacute toxicity testing established that HSCE was devoid of general toxic, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic effects. In conclusion, HSCE was orally active, nontoxic, and effectively suppressed nonfunctional and functional immunological parameters of Wistar rats, suggestive of the potential use of the HSCE as an immunosuppressant drug lead.

Recent Discoveries on Marine Organism Immunomodulatory Activities

“…In a recent study by Gunathilake et al [ 103 ], the researchers tested in vivo and ex vivo the crude extract of a new Sri Lankan sponge Haliclona ( Soestella ) sp. by administering it to albino Wistar mice for a period of 14 consecutive days, at various concentrations: 15, 10, and 5 mg/kg.…”

“…Compared to the control, the extract showed a decrease in immune cells (white blood cell, lymphocytes, platelets, mesenchymal cells from bone marrow, and splenocytes) and in the splenocytic index, while there was an increase in the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio. The immunomodulatory activity was confirmed by the increase in plasma levels of TNF-α in mice treated with 15 mg/kg of HSCE [ 103 ].…”

An insight to the therapeutic potential of algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides and polyunsaturated fatty acids: Focusing on the COVID-19

“…To date, the varieties of bioactive compounds derived from natural resources, such as animals, plants, microorganisms, and marine organisms, have been identified and are being used to combat SARS-CoV-2 [10] and other viral respiratory infections [60] . For example, the use of natural bioactive compounds derived from mushroom [61] , [62] , various herbal medicines [60] , [63] , [64] , [65] , plant polyphenols [60] , [66] , [67] , propolis [58] , honey [68] , and the variety of bioactive compounds derived from marine organisms such as sponge [69] , and algae [70] , [71] , [72] .…”

Use of the Allium cepa Model to Assess the Cytogenotoxicity of Luffariella herdmani Marine Sponge Extract

“…2 As a result, several drug discovery and development programmes are now focused on marine sponges to help expedite the discovery of novel therapeutic entities against various human diseases. 3 However, despite their potential as a source of various drug leads, marine sponge-derived compounds can be associated with toxicity, 4 most likely as a consequence of lengthy evolutionary adaptations to resist predators, microbial pathogens, parasites and anti-biofouling measures, as well as to restrict overgrowth by other sessile species. 5 Although the toxicity of such compounds is usually reported at very high concentrations, at low concentrations (IC 50 ≤ 10 μM, or 4-5 μg/ml), they exhibit numerous biological activities of pharmacological interest, 4 thus warranting their assessment as potential antitumour agents.…”

“…2 As a result, several drug discovery and development programmes are now focused on marine sponges to help expedite the discovery of novel therapeutic entities against various human diseases. 3 However, despite their potential as a source of various drug leads, marine sponge-derived compounds can be associated with toxicity, 4 most likely as a consequence of lengthy evolutionary adaptations to resist predators, microbial pathogens, parasites and anti-biofouling measures, as well as to restrict overgrowth by other sessile species. 5…”