Fucoxanthin, A Carotenoid Derived from Phaeodactylum tricornutum Exerts Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities In Vitro.

Ulrike Neumann,Verena Flaiz Flister,Thomas Hirth,Stephan Bischoff,Ulrike Schmid-Staiger,Felix Derwenskus

doi:10.3390/antiox8060183

Abstract

Microalgae contain a multitude of nutrients and can be grown sustainably. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid from Phaeodactylum tricornutum, could have beneficial health effects. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiproliferative effects of fucoxanthin derived from this diatom in vitro. The effects of purified fucoxanthin on metabolic activity were assessed in blood mononuclear cells and different cell lines. In cell lines, caspase 3/7 activity was also analyzed. Nitrogen monoxide release and mRNA-expression of proinflammatory cytokines were measured. For antioxidant assays, cell free assays were conducted. Additionally, the antioxidant effect in neutrophils was quantified and glutathione was determined in HeLa cells. The results show that neither did fucoxanthin have anti-inflammatory properties nor did it exert cytotoxic effects on mononuclear cells. However, the metabolic activity of cell lines was decreased up to 58% and fucoxanthin increased the caspase 3/7 activity up to 4.6-fold. Additionally, dose-dependent antioxidant effects were detected, resulting in a 63% decrease in chemiluminescence in blood neutrophils and a 3.3-fold increase in the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione. Our studies show that fucoxanthin possesses antiproliferative and antioxidant activities in vitro. Hence, this carotenoid or the whole microalgae P. tricornutum could be considered as a food or nutraceutical in human nutrition, showcasing beneficial health effects.

Highlights

Microalgae are microscopic small unicellular organisms that are abundant in various habitats around the globe
For peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), only the positive control with a final concentration of 5% DMSO led to a significant decrease in metabolic activity analyzed using the MTT assay
Discussion successfully extracted from the microalgae P. tricornutum

Summary

Introduction

Microalgae are microscopic small unicellular organisms that are abundant in various habitats around the globe They can be cultured in open ponds or photobioreactors without the use of arable land and represent a promising sustainable alternative to plant-based proteins. They do produce high amounts of proteins but are a good source for fatty acids, and vitamins, which can provide health promoting effects in a human diet. They can serve as novel functional foods or be incorporated into existing food products [1,2].

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