Cytotoxic Activity of Fatty Acids From Antarctic Macroalgae on the Growth of Human Breast Cancer Cells

Author(s)

Pacheco, Bruna Silveira ^{[1, 2]} ; Ziemann dos Santos, Marco Aurelio ^[1] ; Schultze, Eduarda ^[2] ; Martins, Rosiane Mastelari ^[1] ; Lund, Rafael Guerra ^[1] ; Seixas, Fabiana Kommling ^[2] ; Colepicolo, Pio ^[3] ; Collares, Tiago ^{[1, 2]} ; Paula, Favero Reisdorfer ^[4] ; Pereira De Pereira, Claudio Martin ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Pelotas, Postgrad Program Biochem & Bioprospect, Lipid & Bioorgan Lab, Bioforens Res Grp, Pelotas - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Pelotas, Res Grp Cellular & Mol Oncol, Postgrad Program Biotechnol, Pelotas - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Chem Inst, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Fed Univ Pampa, Pharmaceut Sci Postgrad Program, Lab Res & Drugs Dev, Bage - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY; v. 6, DEC 3 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Macroalgae are a natural source of clinically relevant molecules such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The Antarctic environment, due to its cold climate, leads to high production of these bioactive molecules. Adenocystis utricularis, Curdiea racovitzae, and Georgiella confluens from three distinct islands in the Antarctic Peninsula were collected and analyzed for their fatty acid content by gas chromatography flame ionization detection. Results revealed that the algal extracts consisted of 22 fatty acids, of which 9 were saturated, 4 were monounsaturated, and 9 were polyunsaturated (PUFA). In addition, fucosterol was identified within the lipidic extracts. The cytotoxic activity of these fatty acids was evaluated in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The most notable result was the effect of PUFA on the growth inhibition of cancer cells ranging from 61.04 to 69.78% in comparison to control cells. Significant cytotoxic activity of fatty acids from A. utricularis was observed at 48 h, resulting in an inhibition of growth of more than 50% for breast cancer cells at a concentration of 100 mu g/mL. A cell viability assay showed that the fatty acids from A. utricularis significantly reduced cell viability (68.7% in MCF-7 and 89% in MDA-MB-231 after 72 h of exposure). At the same time, DAPI staining demonstrated chromatin condensation, and apoptotic bodies formed in cells that were cultured with fatty acids from A. utricularis. These data indicate that fatty acids from Antarctic macroalgae have the potential to reduce the proliferation of and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/50193-1 - Marine algae as source of metabolites of economical impact
• Grantee: Pio Colepicolo Neto
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants