João Luís de Fraga Carraro

Novos registros e ampliação de limites meridionais de distribuição de poríferos (Porifera, Demospongiae) no Atlântico sudoeste

The southern boundaries of seven species of Brazilian coast sponges were enlarged. Two of them represent new records: Chalinula zeae de Weerdt, 2000 e Terpios manglaris Rutzler & Smith, 1993 and five were registered for the first time from the state of Santa Catarina: Callyspongia (Toxochalina) pseudotoxa Muricy & Ribeiro, 1999; Mycale (Carmia) magnirhaphidifera van Soest, 1984; Hymeniacidon heliophila Parker, 1910; Monanchora arbuscula (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) and Scopalina ruetzleri (Wiedenmayer, 1977). The taxonomic description of species is also provided and the three latter were described for the first time from the Brazilian coast, since other authors only cited it.

Sphingosines Derived from Marine Sponge as Potential Multi-Target Drug Related to Disorders in Cancer Development.

Haliclona tubifera, marine sponge species abundant in Brazilian coastline, presents only a few papers published in the literature. Recently, we have reported the isolation of two modified C18 sphingoid bases: (2R,3R,6R,7Z)-2-aminooctadec-7-ene-1,3,6-triol and and (2R,3R,6R)-2-aminooctadec-1,3,6-triol. In order to continue our research, in this work aimed at the biological investigation of fractions that led to the isolation of these compounds. We evaluated the cytotoxic effect of marine sponge H. tubifera fractions in glioma (U87) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) human cell lines. In addition, considering the link between cancer, imbalance of reactive oxygen species and coagulation disorders, we also investigated the in vitro effects on blood coagulation and their redox properties. We showed that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction, rich in sphingoid bases, had important cytotoxic effects in both cancer cell lines with an IC50 < 15 μg/mL and also can inhibit the production of peroxyl radicals. Interestingly, this fraction increased the recalcification time of human blood, showing anticoagulant properties. The present study indicates the sphingosines fraction as a promising source of chemical prototypes, especially multifunctional drugs in cancer therapy.

Cytotoxic effects on tumour cell lines of fatty acids from the marine sponge Scopalina ruetzleri.

Marine sponges are among the most promising sources of chemically diversified fatty acids (FAs). In addition, several studies have shown the effect of polyunsaturated FAs on cancer therapy. This research carried out a biological and chemical evaluation of the sponge Scopalina ruetzleri collected on the South Brazilian coastline.