Content Analysis, Cytotoxic, and Anti-metastasis Potential of Bioactive Polysaccharides from Green Alga Codium intricatum Okamura

Abstract

Background: Codium intricatum, locally known as Pukpuklo, is a seasonal and edible green alga found in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. In this study, the biochemical content, cytotoxic and inhibitory potential against Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production of the polysaccharide-protein fractions from C. intricatum is first reported. MMPs are novel targets for therapeutic intervention with the potential to inhibit tumor growth, metastasis and invasion either on their own or in conjunction with cytotoxic treatments. Methods: Water-soluble Crude Polysaccharide (CP) and its fractions (CFs) from C. intricatum were isolated using hot water and ion-exchange chromatography and analyzed using different analytical techniques. Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and Human normal Dermal Fibroblasts (HnDFs) was determined by MTT assay. The MMP-1 inhibitory potential was tested in UVB exposed Human normal Dermal Fibroblast Cells. Results: CP and CFs afforded carbohydrates (2.07-16.1%), sulfates (1.81%- 9.9%), protein (0.05-2.7%), ash (<77.2%), lipids (<1.0%) and uronic acid (0.15- 4.49%). FT- IR and NMR spectra of CP and CFs exhibited absorption peaks comparable to sulfated galactans. Both CP and CFs significantly inhibited the growth of breast cancer (MCF-7) in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05), induced proliferation of HnDFs, inhibited the production of Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in UV-B induced HnDFs (p<0.05). Conclusion: Results are highly suggestive that polysaccharide fractions from C. intricatum are bioactive molecules with cytotoxic and anti-metastasis potential.