Ecological and Pharmacological Activities of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) from the Indonesian Marine Sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea

Two known Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), 3,4,5-tribromo-2-(2',4'-dibromophenoxy)phenol ( ) and 3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-2-(2',4'-dibromophenoxy)phenol ( ), were isolated from the Indonesian marine sponge . The structure was confirmed using C chemical shift average deviation and was compared to the predicted structures and recorded chemical shifts in previous studies. We found a wide range of bioactivities from the organic crude extract, such as (1) a strong deterrence against the generalist pufferfish , (2) potent inhibition against environmental and human pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains, and (3) the inhibition of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The addition of a bromine atom into the A-ring of compound resulted in higher fish feeding deterrence compared to compound . On the contrary, compound showed only more potent inhibition against the Gram-negative bacteria (MIC 2.1 μg/mL), while compound showed more powerful inhibition against the other human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The first report of a chemical defense by compounds and against fish feeding and environmental relevant bacteria, especially pathogenic bacteria, might be one reason for the widespread occurrence of the shallow water sponge in Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific.