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Natural Sponges for Medicine and Treatment for Diseases
Medicines have been derived from plants for centuries, until recently. The process through which scientists look for potentially useful compounds in plants, animals, and microbes is called bioprospecting.
Marine scientists have been investigating naturally occurring substances from the enormous variety of marine species as a source of potential novel medications these past few years.
Ocean species have produced thousands of distinct biochemical chemicals, several of which have been used to create life-saving medicines.
Natural sponges are considered the treasure mines of chemicals and compounds to explore for innovative pharmaceutical creation. The majority of sponge species are entirely stationary, and throughout the course of their nearly half a billion years on the planet, they have also developed defenses.
When researchers analyzed sponge tissue cells, they found chemicals with the potential for a staggering array of therapeutic capabilities, including antimalarial, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, immunosuppressive, anticancer, and cardiovascular activity.
Anticancer and Antiviral Compounds in Sponges
One of the earliest compounds was discovered in the Caribbean sponge Tectitethya crypta during the 1950s and has been studied since. Two compounds discovered in this sponge were used to create the first anti-leukemia medication.
Recently, it was discovered that a substance derived from an Indo-Pacific sponge inhibits the growth of prostate, cervical, and other cancer cells while allowing healthy cells to continue proliferating normally. Additionally, the Herpes virus is destroyed and inhibited by the same substance, Manzamine A.
Covid-19 Treatment in Natural Sponges
The medicine Remdesivir, which treats Covid-19, was made from the same Caribbean sponge, Tectitethya Crypta. Doctors initially used Remdesivir to treat Ebola. The recovery period was slightly shortened by four days on average, but the number of Covid-19 mortality was unaffected.
HIV-Aids Treatment in Sea Sponges
The HIV drug AZT is another medication derived from the Tectitethya crypta compounds of the Caribbean sponge, which was a milestone in AIDS treatment during the late 1980s.
Wrap Up
Scientists duplicate these molecules to create such new antibiotics in a lab. This will prevent the need to continually extract sponges from the ocean, preserving the health and integrity of our marine ecosystems.
Natural Sponges, Canada ensures sustainable harvesting of sea sponges to promote fuller and healthier regrowth. Natural Sponges Inc. aims to work closely with pharmaceutical companies to supply them with the world's best sea sponges for their clinical trials.