Scientists from Russia and Vietnam discover new antimicrobial compounds in marine sponges

 Scientists from the G. B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with colleagues from Vietnam, have discovered new compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in marine sponges. This was reported on the university’s website.

The biologically active compounds were found in fungi of the genus Aspergillus, isolated from Vietnamese marine sponges. These include a previously unknown peptide named versicotide K and the anthraquinone 6,8-dimethoxyaveritrine.

Versicotide K demonstrated cardioprotective activity in experiments on cardiac muscle cells, as well as the ability to protect cells from damage caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection, ischaemia, and inflammation.

Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was also shown by the known compound averitrine. It suppresses both bacterial growth and biofilm formation, which is particularly important in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. In addition, experiments confirmed the anticancer potential of averufanin.

The research showed that marine microorganisms have enormous potential for the production of modern medicines.

Photo: johnandersonphoto / iStock

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