Insight into Potential Anticancer Activity of Algal Flavonoids: Current Status and Challenges

Abstract

Flavonoids are some of the most precious phytochemicals, believed to be found largely in terrestrial plants. With the advancement of phytochemical research and marine bioprospecting, flavonoids have also been reported by the research of microalgae and macroalgae. High growth rate with minimal nutritional and growth requirement, saving arable land and rich metabolic profile make microalgae an excellent repertoire of novel anticancer compounds, such as flavonoids. In addition, marine algae, especially seaweeds contain different types of flavonoids which are assumed to have unique chemical structures and bioactivities than their terrestrial counterparts. Flavonoids are not only good antioxidants but also have the abilities to kill cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and autophagy. However, the study of the anticancer properties of flavonoids is largely limited to terrestrial plants. This review offers an insight into the distribution of different classes of flavonoids in eukaryotic microalgae, cyanobacteria and seaweeds with their possible anticancer activities. In addition, extraction and purification methods of these flavonoids have been highlighted. Finally, prospects and challenges to use algal flavonoids as anticancer agents have been discussed.

Anticancer and antibacterial flavonoids from the callus of Ampelopsis grossedentata; a new weapon to mitigate the proliferation of cancer cells and bacteria

“…5,6 It also scavenge cancer cell by various molecular mechanisms viz., modulating ROSscavenging enzyme activities, participating in arresting the cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, autophagy and suppressing cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. 7,8 Biologically derived compounds are proved to be safe to patients and these compounds will not cause any serious damage to normal cells. Moreover, treatment with these bio-compounds against bacterial pathogens and cancer will be cheap and safe.…”

Potential Psychoactive Effects of Microalgal Bioactive Compounds for the Case of Sleep and Mood Regulation: Opportunities and Challenges

“…Microalgae are capable of producing a broad range of valuable phytochemicals which are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents [ 83 ]. Microalgal flavonoids are more complex in their structure when compared with terrestrial plant extracts and therefore demonstrate unique properties [ 35 ]. Several antioxidative flavonoids such as apigenin have shown a neuroprotective capacity and can promote cell longevity.…”

“…Several species of microalgae were found to produce apigenin, such as Leptolyngbya sp. (0.4 ± 0.02 mg/g), A. platensis (6.0 ± 0.5 ng/g), D. lutheri (13.6 ± 1.1 ng/g), P. tricornutum (7.3 ± 0.6 ng/g), P. purpureum (9.3 ± 0.7 ng/g), T. suecica (9.8 ± 0.8 ng/g), C. vulgaris (9.9 ± 0.8 ng/g), and H. lacustris (9.2 ± 0.7 ng/g) [ 34 , 35 ].…”

“…11 μg/g fresh wt. [ 35 ]. Meanwhile, distribution in Scenedesmus quadricauda (Chlorophyta), Diacronema lutheri (Haptophyta), red microalga Porphyridium purpureum and green microalga Haematococcus lacustris ranges from 2 to 9.1 ng/g [ 34 , 35 ].…”

“…[ 35 ]. Meanwhile, distribution in Scenedesmus quadricauda (Chlorophyta), Diacronema lutheri (Haptophyta), red microalga Porphyridium purpureum and green microalga Haematococcus lacustris ranges from 2 to 9.1 ng/g [ 34 , 35 ]. A. platensis ethanolic extract is markedly high in flavonoids and can provide 540 μg/g of quercetin [ 42 ].…”