Sponges or marine sponges are porous animal living on the seabed. This marine organism is unique, classified as animal but cannot move freely like other marine animals. Therefore, this marine bioorganism is believed to be able to produce various kinds of chemical compounds as a defense mechanism against predators in the sea. Chemical compounds produced by sponges turned out to be useful in the treatment of various diseases.
One of the benefits of the sponge that we are currently exploring is for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease that attacks the brain which usually occurs in older people> 60 years. This disease is characterized by a decline in memory, ability to think and speak, and gradual changes in behavior. This is usually known as senility in the elderly.
One treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is by using the inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase enzyme, for example galantamine, donepezil, rivastigmine and memantine but there are limitations in the use of these drugs because of the serious side effects. The results of our study on 15 sponges taken from the waters around Tabuhan Island, Banyuwangi showed that there were 3 methanol extracts of the sponge showing inhibition activity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, so it had the potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The sponge in question is Callyspongia sp., Agelas nakamurai and Niphates olemda.
Author: Suciati
Details of the research available at:
Suciati, Karma Rabgay, Yunda Fachrunniza, Tongchai Saesong, Tri Aryono Hadi, Tutik Sri Wahyuni, Aty Widyawaruyanti, Kornkanok Ingkaninan. 2019. Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Marine Sponges Against Cholinesterase And 5α-Reductase
