Click Here to watch a short video about the types of medicine found in the Coral Reef.
So far, the earth has lost 19% of it's coral reefs and suffered the loss of homes for plants, animals, and organisms that are used to treat cancer, HIV, and other viruses.
The Discovery of Coral Medicine:
The focus on coral ecosystems for medical purposes is not a new concept by any means. The medical properties of organisms found in coral reefs were recognized by Eastern cultures around the 14th century. People of this time removed the gall bladder of different fish species to treat venomous stings from other marine organisms, such as the stonefish. Some knowledge and use of early medicine has been lost, but there is a new interest involving modern medicine in researching some of these treatments. For example: Tonics and medicines derived from seahorse extracts continue to be in high demand for quite a few medicines.
The focus on coral ecosystems for medical purposes is not a new concept by any means. The medical properties of organisms found in coral reefs were recognized by Eastern cultures around the 14th century. People of this time removed the gall bladder of different fish species to treat venomous stings from other marine organisms, such as the stonefish. Some knowledge and use of early medicine has been lost, but there is a new interest involving modern medicine in researching some of these treatments. For example: Tonics and medicines derived from seahorse extracts continue to be in high demand for quite a few medicines.
The coral reef is said to be the "medicine cabinet of the 21st century". The list of approved and potential new drugs is ever growing.
Examples of Medicines found in the Reefs:
Recent research in the coral reef includes the discovery of the antiviral drugs Ara-A, AZT, and the anticancer agent Ara-C. These chemical compounds are developed from the extracts of sponges found on a Caribbean reef. The drug Ara-C is the backbone of some chemotherapy for leukemia and lymphoma
Creatures found in coral ecosystems are important sources of new medicines being develped to:
- induce and ease labor;
-treat cancer;
- arthritis;
- asthma;
- ulcers;
- human bacterial infections;
- heart disease;
- viruses;
- and other diseases
As well as sources of nutritional supplements:
- enzymes
- cosmetics
In addition, the porous limestone skeleton of corals has been tested as bone grafts in humans. In this procedure, pieces of coral are set into a fracture to act as a scaffold around which the healing can take place. The implant eventually disappears, absorbed by the new growth of bone. Using this method, rates of rejection are much lower than with artificial grafting materials. It should be noted that aside from the compounds and the discoveries of the medicines mentioned above, that there are many other medicines under development which have not yet been disclosed to the public. It is impossible to predict the future economical benefits of bioprospecting, as more valuable medical compounds are isolated from organisms found in the coral ecosystems. The estimated value of global coral reef biodiversity is $5.5 billion dollars.
Recent research in the coral reef includes the discovery of the antiviral drugs Ara-A, AZT, and the anticancer agent Ara-C. These chemical compounds are developed from the extracts of sponges found on a Caribbean reef. The drug Ara-C is the backbone of some chemotherapy for leukemia and lymphoma
- Kainic Acid was found in a Japanese reef and is used to treat a rare disease of the nervous system called Huntington's chorea.
- Australian researchers have developed a sun cream from a coral chemical that contains a natural "factor 50" sun block.
- Chemicals from a Caribbean coral reef are being used as painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs as well as a main ingredient in skin care products.
Creatures found in coral ecosystems are important sources of new medicines being develped to:
- induce and ease labor;
-treat cancer;
- arthritis;
- asthma;
- ulcers;
- human bacterial infections;
- heart disease;
- viruses;
- and other diseases
As well as sources of nutritional supplements:
- enzymes
- cosmetics
In addition, the porous limestone skeleton of corals has been tested as bone grafts in humans. In this procedure, pieces of coral are set into a fracture to act as a scaffold around which the healing can take place. The implant eventually disappears, absorbed by the new growth of bone. Using this method, rates of rejection are much lower than with artificial grafting materials. It should be noted that aside from the compounds and the discoveries of the medicines mentioned above, that there are many other medicines under development which have not yet been disclosed to the public. It is impossible to predict the future economical benefits of bioprospecting, as more valuable medical compounds are isolated from organisms found in the coral ecosystems. The estimated value of global coral reef biodiversity is $5.5 billion dollars.