Compounds from the sea with actions on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems

Recent efforts at probing into the oceans have produced evidence that marine invertebrates such as gorgonians and sponges offer a rich reserve of pharmacologically interesting molecules. Our investigations indicate that it is possible to obtain novel compounds both structurally and pharmacologically. For example, autonomium from a sponge is a dual adrenergic combined with cholinergic molecule, with a structure that may be considered a hybrid between a catecholamine and choline. Various terpenoids and indole derivatives from marine organisms have been found to possess activities on the central nervous system. Several peptides from sea anemones are cardiotonic and have initiated a new concept of chemical structure believed to be associated with cardiac activity. A number of closely related halogenated cyclic ethers are good inhibitors of drug metabolism. Thus, there seems little doubt that the sea warrants an extensive chemical and pharmacological examination.