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

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 μg/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.

Seasonal variation in biopharmaceutical activity and fatty acid content of endemic Fucus virsoides algae from Adriatic Sea

“…The strongest cytotoxic effects of F. virsoides fall petroleum-ether fraction, dichloromethane-methanol fraction and ethyl-acetate fraction were in correlation with a high content of polyphenols and fatty acids (PUFAs) in these fractions and their possible synergistic action in the whole extract. These results are in accordance with literature data that showed that polyphenols and fatty acid have cytotoxic properties (8,30).…”

“…This finding is in concordance with the previous studies that have shown that there was a seasonal change in the production of fatty acids in macroalgae (21). Macroalgae are adapting to the colder water temperature by increasing the amount of PUFAs, MUFAs and other bioactive molecules (8). It has been shown that PUFA, especially n-3, exert cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell lines, prostate and colorectal cancer cells (8,22,23).…”

“…Macroalgae are adapting to the colder water temperature by increasing the amount of PUFAs, MUFAs and other bioactive molecules (8). It has been shown that PUFA, especially n-3, exert cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell lines, prostate and colorectal cancer cells (8,22,23). In particular, n-3 PUFAs were shown to decrease tumor growth and ability of tumors to metastasize.…”

“…On the contrary, SFA and MUFA can stimulate tumorigenesis. Therefore, the ratio of PUFAs to SFA and MUFA seems to be very important (8).…”

“…The balanced ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids found in macroalgal extracts may have health beneficial effects. The seasonal variations of environmental conditions play an important role in the life cycle of the algae and the composition of its secondary metabolites (8).…”