Activity and Cytotoxicity of Algae Extracts On Normal and Leukemic Hematopoietic Cells

• Published in: Blood 2009-11, Vol.114 (22), p.4815-4815
• Main Authors: Bechelli, Jeremy, Rosell, Karen, Coppage, Myra, Liesveld, Jane
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V114.22.4815.4815

Abstract 4815 Algae preparations are commonly used in complementary and alternative medicine for presumed anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. In this study, we have examined the effects of extracts from algae and algae components on the proliferation of normal hematopoietic and leukemia cells. To prepare extracts, 1 gram of Dunaliella salina (Dun), Astaxanthin (Ast), Spirulina (C-phycocyanin) (Spir), or Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) were added to 10 ml of 70% ethanol and incubated at 4°C on a shaker for 24 hours. The slurry was centrifuged at 400 g for 10 minutes at 4°C, and the supernatant was filtered through 413-grade filter paper. Leukemia cell lines were purchased from ATCC and blood or marrow aspirates from normal subjects or patients with leukemia were subjected to Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation. CD34+ cells were isolated using Miltenyi Biotec MiniMACS magnetic bead cell separation columns. To determine effects on cell proliferation, increasing concentrations of algae extracts were added in fresh medium to plated cells, and MTT reagent was added followed by detergent and absorbance readings were recorded at 570 nm. Leukemic cell lines such as HL60 and MV4-11 were significantly inhibited by Ast and AFA at concentration of 0.8 mg/mL of extract (p