In-vitro anti-cancer and cytotoxic properties of aqueous seaweed extracts on BHK and HeLa cell lines

Abstract

Cancer is a major health problem all over the world. Seaweeds and its active compounds have shown their potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells opening new sights for the production of new therapeutics. This study was performed to determine the cytotoxic effect and anti-cancer activity of aqueous extracts of selected Sri Lankan seaweed species on cancer (HeLa) and normal (Baby Hamster Kidney fibroblasts, BHK) cell lines. In addition, seaweed species with potent anticancer effect against cancer cell line was investigated. Samples of Ulva faciata (SW 01), Caulerpa racemosa (SW 02), Gracilaria corticata (SW 03), Sargassum illicifolium (SW 15) and Jania adhaereus (SW 26) were collected from Northern, Southern and North Western coastal sites of Sri Lanka. Aqueous extracts of seaweeds were prepared by soaking dried, powdered seaweed samples in distilled water through a modified method. Cells were cultured in a 96-well plate in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI 1640) medium and after 24-hour incubation, cells were treated with different seaweed extracts. Tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay (in-vitro) was carried out after 24-hour incubation to determine cytotoxicity and anticancer effects. Viability percentages and growth inhibition rates for both cell types and with controls were compared. It was found that the seaweed extracts from different species showed significantly variable responses against cancer and normal cell lines. All seaweed extracts showed significant cytotoxic effect on cancer (HeLa) cells.