Box Jellyfish (Cnidaria, Cubozoa) Extract Increases Neuron's Connection: A Possible Neuroprotector Effect

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Neurodegenerative diseases cause significant global mortality via neurite atrophy, neuron apoptosis, and synapse loss.
• Current treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are limited, driving the search for novel therapeutic agents.
• Animal venoms represent a rich source of unique molecules with therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To biochemically characterize and evaluate the activity of a methanolic extract from the box jellyfish *Chiropsalmus quadrumanus* (Cq) on neuronal cells.
• To investigate the extract's effects on neurite outgrowth, branching, and neuronal viability.
• To identify the active components within the Cq extract responsible for its observed biological activities.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of a methanolic extract from *Chiropsalmus quadrumanus*.
• Incubation of the extract with human SH-SY5Y neurons to assess neuritogenesis and cytotoxicity.
• Biochemical analysis using mass spectrometry to determine the extract's composition.

Main Results:

• The Cq extract significantly increased neurite outgrowth length and branching junctions in SH-SY5Y neurons without impacting cell viability.
• The extract demonstrated selective activity towards neurons, showing no cytotoxic effects on tumor lines, non-tumor lines, or red blood cells.
• Mass spectrometry identified low molecular mass compounds and peptides, including cryptides, associated with cytoskeleton reorganization, cell membrane expansion, and antioxidant/neuroprotective effects.

Conclusions:

• The *Chiropsalmus quadrumanus* extract promotes neuritogenesis through a combination of low molecular mass compounds and peptides.
• The extract's ability to enhance neuronal connections makes it a promising candidate for developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Further research into these compounds could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for conditions characterized by neuronal damage.