Cardiac stimulatory, cytotoxic and cytolytic activity of extracts of sea anemones

Sea anemones belonging to four families were examined for their cardiac stimulatory cytotoxic and cytolytic activities. Aqueous extracts of eleven species, Anthopleura elegantissima (Brandt), A, xanthogrammica (Brandt), Corynactis californica (Carlgren), Epiactis prolifera (Verrill), Metridium senile (L), Pachycerianthus fimbratus, Stomphia didemon (Siebert), Urticina coriacea (Cuvier), U. crassicornis (O. F. Muller), U. lofotensis (Danielson) and U. piscivora (Sebens and Laakso), were tested. All extracts except P. fimbratus, showed dose dependent positive inotropic and chronotropic activity and elicited potent lytic action on erythrocytes of rat, guinea pig and dog. Electron microscopic examination of rat erythrocytes treated with U. piscivora extract revealed significant structural damage to the membranes. The toxicological effects of the extracts were assessed on the basis of mortality, expressed as LD50 of all the extracts rested only that of U. lofotensis was toxic when given intraperitoneally, with an LD50 of 7.6 mg/kg. Pathological examination of the organs revealed a significant amount of hemorrhaging of the lungs causing complete collapse. All other extracts were not toxic.