Neurotoxicological characterization of fractionated polypeptide from the Sea Anemone Gyrostoma helianthus on male albino rat

Marine organisms represent a valuable source of new compounds. The present study focused on the neurotoxicity of ethanolic crude extract and partially purified protein of Anemone species collected from the Red Sea shore of Jeddah, Saudia Arabia. The ethanolic extracts were found toxic to rats and the median lethal dose (LD50) was 20.3 mg kg b. wt. after IP of the crude extract. The rats showed behavioral changes suchas tonic convulsions, paralysis and flexing of muscles. A single dose equal to ¼ LD50 administered IP, the crude extract induced differential and time-dependentdopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT)neuronal neurotransmitter changes; reduced glutathione level(P< 0.01)and highly affected cerebral histopathological disturbances. The crude extract and peptide fraction of 1KDa showed highest norepinephrine (P