1. The physiological properties of contraction and the ultrastructure of the longitudinal retractor muscle (LRM) of a sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus were studied to give information about the sources of activator Ca in echinoderm somatic smooth muscles. 2. The magnitude of AChand K-induced contractures was dependent on [Ca]0, and both contractures were eliminated in Ca-free solution, while th...

Sea cucumbers are marine invertebrates of the phylum of Echinodermata that have been used in Asian traditional medicine since ancient times. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of aqueous and organic extracts from two sea cucumber species, Holothuria edulis Lesson (Holothuriidae) and Stichopus horrens Selenka (Stichopodidae). Antioxidant activities o...