Zoo-chemical profiling, in vivo toxicity and in vitro anti-inflammatory properties of Luffariella herdmani marine sponge extract

The present study investigates the zoo-chemical profiling, anti-inflammatory, and radical scavenging activities of Luffariella herdmani marine sponge extract. The sponge crude extract (SCE) was prepared by methanol/dichloromethane extraction, followed by rotary evaporation. The percentage yield was calculated, and the zoo-chemicals were investigated by standard methods, while anti-inflammatory activity was tested by protein denaturation assay. Radical scavenging activity of the SCE was tested against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and peroxide radicals, while in vivo toxicity was evaluated by the Artemia salina lethality assay. The results indicated the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, unsaturated sterols, sterols, and saponins in the SCE while flavanoids, quinones, tannins, and phenols were absent. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity against protein denaturation with IC50 of 58.54 µg/ml was evidenced while radical scavenging activity was not reported. The SCE was toxic to A. salina larvae with LC50 of 14.34 µg/ml. In conclusion, L. herdmani sponge extract possesses in vitro anti-inflammatory, in vivo toxic properties, yet radical scavenging activity was absent. The presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, unsaturated sterols, sterols, and saponins with reported anti-inflammatory properties is suggestive of the use of L. herdmani sponge extract as an anti-inflammatory drug lead.