Sea Urchin Pigments: Echinochrome A and Its Potential Implication in the Cytokine Storm Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Echinochrome A (EchA) is a pigment from sea urchins. EchA is a polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinone that contains several hydroxyl groups appropriate for free-radical scavenging and preventing redox imbalance. EchA is the most studied molecule of this family and is an active principle approved to be used in humans, usually for cardiopathies and glaucoma. EchA is used as a pharmaceutical drug. Methods: A comprehensive literature and patent search review was undertaken using PubMed, as well as Google Scholar and Espacenet search engines to review these areas. Conclusions: In the bloodstream, EchA can mediate cellular responses, act as a radical scavenger, and activate the glutathione pathway. It decreases ROS imbalance, prevents and limits lipid peroxidation, and enhances mitochondrial functions. Most importantly, EchA contributes to the modulation of the immune system. EchA can regulate the generation of regulatory T cells, inhibit pro-inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 cytokine production, while slightly reducing IL-8, TNF-α, INF-α, and NKT, thus correcting immune imbalance. These characteristics suggest that EchA is a candidate drug to alleviate the cytokine storm syndrome (CSS).

Quinoid Pigments of Sea Urchins Scaphechinus mirabilis and Strongylocentrotus intermedius: Biological Activity and Potential Applications

“…Echinoderm pigments and related compounds form a new class of highly effective phenolic-type antioxidants that exhibit high bactericidal, algicidal, antiallergic, hypotonic and psychotropic activity. Due to its unique antioxidant properties, echinochrome A has been of great interest to scientists around the world for more than 30 years [ 70 , 71 , 72 ].…”

Fatty Acids of Echinoderms: Diversity, Current Applications and Future Opportunities

“…Echinochrome (EchA), a natural quinone pigment isolated from sea urchins, exhibits significant pharmacological activity and, therefore, it has been approved for use in human medicines, usually for the treatment of cardiopathies and glaucoma [ 23 ]. It is suggested as a drug to alleviate cytokine storm syndrome [ 26 ]. EchA can mediate cellular responses, acts as a radical scavenger, and activates the glutathione pathway.…”

Dietary product based on sea urchin caviar and Sardinops melanostictus fat

“…Lipids of sea urchin caviar contain up to 58.0% polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), including the omega-3 family, up to 38.0% of the total fatty acids. When sea urchin caviar was included in the diet, various medicinal properties were noted: Antioxidant [7,8], antitumor [9,10], anti-inflammatory [11], antimicrobial [12], and others [13,14].…”