Researchers at the Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reported the discovery of new compounds isolated from sea lilies. These substances have promising properties such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antitumor effects.

Crinoids, also known as crinoids, belong to the class of marine invertebrate animals such as echinoderms. These ancient marine organisms are distinguished by their bright colors, which presumably serve as protection from predators.

Researchers have discovered that quinoid chemicals found in these organisms may have potentially beneficial properties. During the experiments, three new dimeric compounds were isolated from the crinoid Phanogenia gracilis, called AC fanogracilins. These substances showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and also contributed to increased survival of nerve cells when exposed to the neurotoxin rotenone.

Scientists emphasize that the isolated compounds inhibited the growth of gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and yeast-like fungi C. albicans, and also prevented the formation of biofilms of these microorganisms. These results allow us to consider fanogracilins as promising antimicrobial agents.

Samples of crinoids were collected by scuba divers in the South China Sea near Lishon Island at a depth of 3-9 meters during the scientific voyage of the R/V Akademik Oparin. After collection, the invertebrates were frozen for further study.