Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis ofUlva fasciata(Green Seaweed) Extract and Evaluation of Its Cytoprotective and Antigenotoxic Effects

Abstract

The chemical composition and biological properties of Ulva fasciata aqueous-ethanolic extract were examined. Five components were identified in one fraction prepared from the extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and palmitic acid and its ethyl ester accounted for 76% of the total identified components. Furthermore, we assessed the extract's antioxidant properties by using the DPPH, ABTS, and lipid peroxidation assays and found that the extract had a moderate scavenging effect. In an experiment involving preexposition and coexposition of the extract (1–500 µg/mL) and benzo[a]pyrene (BP), the extract was found to be nontoxic to C9 cells in culture and to inhibit the cytotoxicity induced by BP. As BP is biotransformed by CYP1A and CYP2B subfamilies, we explored the possible interaction of the extract with these enzymes. The extract (25–50 µg/mL) inhibited CYP1A1 activity in rat liver microsomes. Analysis of the inhibition kinetics revealed a mixed-type inhibitory effect on CYP1A1 supersome. The effects of the extract on BP-induced DNA damage and hepatic CYP activity in mice were also investigated. Micronuclei induction by BP and liver CYP1A1/2 activities significantly decreased in animals treated with the extract. The results suggest that Ulva fasciata aqueous-ethanolic extract inhibits BP bioactivation and it may be a potential chemopreventive agent.

Chemoprotective effects of Ulva lactuca (green seaweed) aqueous‐ethanolic extract against subchronic exposure to benzo(a)pyrene by CYP1A1 inhibition in mice

“…U. lactuca extract inhibits activity of the enzyme CYP1A1 in liver microsomes, as reported by us (Rodeiro et al, ). Thus, in order to identify a possible mechanism underlying the protective effects observed against BP, here we evaluated the capacity of this extract to modulate hepatic CYP1A1 activity and expression under these experimental conditions.…”

“…In a previous work, we identified palmitic acid as one of the main components present in the aqueous‐ethanolic 1:1 v /v extract (Figure ; Rodeiro et al, ) with reported antimutagenic properties (Nadathur, Carney, Gould, & Bakalinsky, ). On the other hand, Ulva polysaccharides have demonstrated chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic properties against induced fibrosarcoma (Suresh, Anbazhagan, Palani, & Rengasamy, ) and breast carcinogenesis (Abd‐Ellatef, Ahmed, Abdel‐Reheim, & Abdel‐Hamid, ) in Wistar rats.…”

“…We previously found cytoprotective and antigenotoxic properties for the aqueous‐ethanolic extract obtained from U. lactuca against DNA damage induced by BP in vitro and in vivo in an acute mouse model. U. lactuca extract decreases the in vitro enzymatic activity of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, which has been suggested as a possible mechanism for reducing the bioactivation of BP in the cells (Rodeiro et al, ). These evidences suggest that U. lactuca extract may protect against the toxic effects caused by a prolonged exposure to BP.…”

“…The main component was palmitic acid (51.3%) and its ethyl ester (24.7%). The relative percentage of each extract constituent was expressed in regard to peak area normalization (Rodeiro et al, )…”

Effect of <i>Capsosiphon fulvescens</i> on Ethanol-induced Liver Damage in HepG2 Cells over Expressing CYP2E1

“…The authors showed that U. fasciata extract inhibited benzo[a]pyrene-induced cytotoxicity in hepatic C9 cells and also inhibited CYP1A1 activity in rat liver microsomes [29]. Thus, they suggested that marine green algae were a potential source of preventive agents against cancer and other degenerative diseases.…”