Abstract
<p>Marine algae are excellent source of bioactive compounds that can be used as an alternative source for finding novel anti-cancer molecules. Gracilaria corticata, red algae from Surathkal beach, Karnataka were studied for their anti-proliferative activities and their morphological characterization on HeLa cells were assessed. Cytotoxicity of the algal ethanolic extracts on HeLa cells were assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction method. Morphological assessment was done by examinations with Hoechst staining and acid vacuoles were determined using acridine orange. Induction of apoptosis was studied using caspase activity. Based on IC<sub>50</sub>value, further morphological assessment was carried out and apoptosis was confirmed using Hoechst 33342 staining and acridine orange staining respectively. Treated cells became round with blebbings with condensed nuclei. Acidic lysosomal vacuoles formation occurred in treated cells. These red algae were able to suppress proliferation and promote apoptosis-- mediated cell death with induction of initial stages of apoptosis in HeLa cell lines. Thus, this seaweed can be a potent candidate for isolating new green drug anticancer molecules. However, further characterization at the molecular and structural levels are required.</p>
Highlights
Cancer is one of the most serious threats in human diseases and carcinoma of the uterine cervix is the second most common female tumor worldwide, surpassed only by breast cancer
In vitro assay for cytotoxic activity: Cytotoxicity of the algal ethanolic extracts on Human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells were assayed by 3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay [19].The anticancer activity of the seaweed extracts was observed at 24hours, 48 hours and 72 hours, in which ethanol extracts of G. corticata showed a greater activity with an IC50 value of 244.7μg/ml at 48hours
The results of the cytotoxicity tested by observing the cellular morphological change showed that ethanolic extracts in dose- and time dependently inhibited the proliferation of the HeLa cancer cell lines
Summary
Cancer is one of the most serious threats in human diseases and carcinoma of the uterine cervix is the second most common female tumor worldwide, surpassed only by breast cancer. They are classified as red algae (Rhodophyta), brown algae (Phaeophyta) or green algae (Chlorophyta), based on the pigmentation and depending on their nutrient and chemical composition. Extensive researches is being carried out on the cellular and molecular basis of the carcinogenesis cascade that provides a targeted approach for cancer chemoprevention, which aims to halt or reverse the development and progression of precancerous cells through use of non- cytotoxic doses of nutrients and/or pharmacological agents [11,12]. Natural marine products evidencing apoptotic activity has dragged attention as new leads for anticancer alternative and complementary preventive or therapeutic agents [13]. As a need for a more evidence relating anticancer activity, the present study was conducted on HeLa cell lines
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