The cytotoxic, neurotoxic, apoptotic and antiproliferative activities of extracts of some marine algae on the MCF-7 cell line

Abstract

We investigated the cytotoxic, neurotoxic, apoptotic and antiproliferative effects of extracts from Petalonia fascia, Jania longifurca and Halimeda tuna on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. J. longifurca extracts were more toxic than those of P. fascia and H. tuna. The algal extracts showed significant toxic effects at different dilutions. The toxic effects were due to increased oxidative stress and resulted in apoptosis. Algal toxicity may exert negative effects through the food chain or by direct interaction. Algal toxicity also has potential for cancer therapy. The toxic effects that we observed may be especially important for therapy for breast tumors.

Key words::

• antiproliferative activity
• apoptosis
• cytotoxicity
• Halimeda tuna
• Jania longifurca
• MCF-7 cell line
• neurotoxicity
• Petalonia fascia

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by CBU BAP, Manisa, Turkey (FEF 2008-134).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.