Chemical profile study and Schistossomicidal potential evaluation of the Ascidia Didemnum psammatodes

• Grant number: 15/18543-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2015
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ana Helena Januário
• Grantee: Bruno Willian Picão
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project intends to realize the chemistry study of the methanol extract of ascidian Didemnum psammatodes (Didemnidae), one species that occurs in the São Sebastião Channel, an area of high biodiversity for marine research. This marine region was selected for study within the Regular research project "Natural Products ascidian Brasileiras for Neglected Tropical Diseases" (FAPESP Process # 2014/19184-7). According to the literature, there are few reports related to chemical and biological studies for the selected species. No information was found about the in vitro schistosomicidal potential of Didemnum psammatodes. Therefore, the chemistry approach will be bioassay-guided on this activity. The proposed schistosomicidal test will be held evaluating the life cycle of Schistosoma mansoni vector. The analytical methodologies will employ chromatography techniques (CC and HPLC-DAD). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds will the assign on the bases of 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Thus, the main goal of this proposal will be identify the potential schistossomicidal of marine natural compounds, as well as contribute to the human resource formation in the marine natural product area in Brazil.