Antioxidant and Anti‑Inflammatory Effects of a Methanol Extract from the Marine Sponge Hyrtios erectus

Background: The marine environment, due to its phenomenal diversity, is a rich natural source of many biologically active compounds. Objective: Marine sponge Hyrtios erectus, collected from North Bay of South Andaman Sea, was screened for potential antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activities. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activities of the methanol (MeOH) extract of the sponge at different concentrations (0–100 µg/mL) were determined by measuring the free radical‑scavenging activities. The anti‑inflammatory activities of the extract were determined by measuring the inhibitory effect of the extract on albumin denaturation and inducible nitric oxide (NO) production. Quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the effect of the sponge extract on the expression of eight proinflammatory cytokine genes. Results: Our results suggested that the MeOH extract of the sponge exhibited antioxidant activity against 2,2‑diphenyl‑1‑picrylhydrazyl‑free radicals, superoxide anions, and hydroxyl radicals. More than 50% inhibition (half inhibitory concentration) was recorded with concentration of 50 µg/mL of the sponge extract. Extract of the sponge at a concentration of 25 µg/mL inhibited NO production by a macrophage cell line in vitro by 91.22% ± 5.78%. The sponge extract induced downregulation of eight proinflammatory cytokine genes in breast cancer Michigan Cancer Foundation‑7 cell line. Conclusion: The secondary metabolites present in the MeOH extract of the sponge showed the potential antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activities. Further studies are required to identify the bioactive compounds.