Antitumoral potential of carotenoid-rich microalgae strains

This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic/antiproliferative potential of carotenoid-rich microalgae strains from the class Eustigmatophyceae, and their effectiveness against Glioblastoma (GB), the most aggressive type of primary brain cancer. Recognized for their abundant bioactive compounds, microalgae provide a sustainable source for new anticancer agents. The research focused on the cytotoxic effects of extracts from four eustigmatophycean strains (Nannochloropsis oculata, Munda aquilonaris, Vischeria helvetica, and Chlorobotrys regularis) on GB cell lines (U87 and A172) and normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell. The ethyl acetate (EA) extracts from N. oculata, and V. helvetica demonstrated significant cytotoxic and/or antiproliferative activity, highly reducing cell viability in GB cells while showing the least toxicity on NHDFs. Analysis of the pigment profile revealed high levels of chlorophyll a and carotenoids, known for their antitumor properties. Fatty acid analysis showed a high concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in V. helvetica and palmitoleic acid in N. oculata, both noted for their antitumor effects. These results highlight the significative potential of carotenoid-rich microalgae extracts in GB therapeutics, after in depth studies. The notable cytotoxic effects on tumoral cells, combined with moderate effects on normal cells, emphasize their selectivity and potential for targeted therapy. This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the potential of microalgae-derived compounds as promising candidates for further research into GB therapeutics. Future research should aim to optimize extraction processes and perform in vivo studies to validate these findings and advance the development of microalgae-based therapeutics.