BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A VENOM EXTRACT FROM THE SEA-ANEMONE, BUNODOSOMA-CAVERNATA

Crude extract was prepared from the sea anemone, Bunodosoma cavernata. . The protein content of the extract was estimated to be 0.53 mg prote in/ml. The extract was standardized based on the percentage inhibition of histamine-induced contraction of the guinea pig ileum, to determin e the biological unit of activity (AU) of the extract. As extracts pre pared on different occasions lost potency on storage, the stability of the extract was also investigated. Extracts prepared from fresh anima ls were about 15% more potent than those prepared from freeze-dried an imals. However, freeze-dried animal extracts maintained their potency for about 6 months under storage at -20 degrees C. Lethality studies g ave an LD50 of 40 mu g protein/kg mice i.p. Also, the crude el;tract d ose-dependently hemolyzed human erythrocytes at room temperature. This activity was favoured by higher temperatures, which peaked at about 6 0 degrees C, and by pH in the alkaline range. We conclude that the cru de extract from B. cavernata, though highly toxic, may also contain so me biologically active agents which include a haemolytic factor and an tihistamine(s), as indicated by its histamine-blocking action, (C) 199 8 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.