The antagonistic activity of Padina arborescens extracts on mPR alpha

The current study attempted to evaluate the antagonistic activity of compounds isolated and purified from the marine algae Padina arborescens during cultivation. The compounds were collected on a filter, concentrated on ODS columns and separated by HPLC. Two peaks that showed competitive progesterone binding activity with membrane progesterone receptor alpha (mPR alpha) were purified. Their physiological activity was further uncovered by in vitro and in vivo oocyte maturation and ovulation-inducing assays using zebrafish. The compounds inhibited the induction of oocyte maturation and ovulation. Moreover, the results showed that the compounds have antagonistic activity against mPR alpha. The purified compounds with antagonistic activity against mPR alpha would be considered as new pharmaceutical candidate.