Sea Urchin Pigments: Echinochrome A and Its Potential Implication in the Cytokine Storm Syndrome

RUBILAR, TAMARA; BARBIERI, ELENA SUSANA; GAZQUEZ, AYELÉN; AVARO, MARISA

MARINE DRUGS

MOLECULAR DIVERSITY PRESERVATION INTERNATIONAL-MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2021

1660-3397

Abstract: Background: Echinochrome A (EchA) is a pigment from sea urchins. EchA is a polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinone and contains a number of hydroxyl groups appropriate for freeradical scavenging, and for diminishing ROS and preventing redox imbalance. EchA is the moststudied molecule of this family and is an active principle approved to be used in humans, usuallyfor cardiopathies and glaucoma. EchA is used as a pharmaceutical drug. Methods: A comprehensive literature and patent search review was undertaken using PubMed, as well as Google Scholarand Espacenet engines to review these areas. Conclusions: In the bloodstream, EchA can mediatecellular responses, act as a radical scavenger and also activate the glutathione pathway. It decreaseof ROS imbalance, prevents and limits lipid peroxidation and also enhances mitochondrial functions. Most importantly EchA contributes to the modulation the immune system. EchA ingestioncan regulate the generation of regulatory T cells, inhibiting the cytokine pro inflammatory production of IL-1β and IL-6, while at the same time, slightly reducing IL-8, TNF-α, INF-α and NKT, correcting immune imbalance. These characteristics suggest that EchA is a candidate drug to alleviatethe Cytokine Storm Syndrome (CSS).