Systemic toxic effects induced by the aqueous extract of the fire coral Millepora complanata and partial purification of thermostable neurotoxins with lethal effects in mice.

摘要: Abstract Millepora complanata is a cnidarian widely distributed in the coral reefs of Mexican Caribbean. This species popularly known as “fire coral”, since contact with it causes severe pain, skin eruptions and blisters. Intravenous administration M. aqueous extract induces violent convulsions death mice within 1 min (LD50 = 4.62 µg protein/g body weight). Doses less than LD50 produced histopathological damage kidneys lungs. Such was completely eliminated after incubation heat denaturing conditions. Unexpectedly, denatured conserved its lethal effect. These findings demonstrated that contained hemolytic phospholipase activities might be responsible for damage, additionally other unidentified thermostable toxins effects mice. Chromatographic analysis led to isolation 61 kDa vasoconstrictor protein. Furthermore, several non-peptidic fractions were separated. Particularly interesting fraction MC1-IIA obtained result three-step chromatography processes (ion exchange, gel filtration reverse phase). Like original crude extract, this induced vasoconstriction delayed hemolysis A subsequent chromatographic showed at least four compounds. MS NMR spectroscopic data analyses indicated these metabolites poly-oxygenated alkylbenzenes. The present study constitutes first report presence an organism class Hydrozoa, evidences great structural diversity by species.