In-vitro study of cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of Thalassia hemprichii with correlation to their chemical profile

• Published in: BMC complementary medicine and therapies 2024-06, Vol.24 (1)
• Main Authors: Mohamed, Shimaa I. A, Elsayed, Ghada H, El Shaffai, Amgad, Yahya, Shaymaa M.M, Mettwally, Walaa S.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Apoptosis; Bioflavonoids; Breast cancer; Cancer; Care and treatment; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Flavones; Flavonoids; Gene expression; Genes; Health aspects; High performance liquid chromatography; Oncology, Experimental; Polyphenols; Scientific equipment and supplies industry; Tumor proteins
• ISSN: 2662-7671; 2662-7671
• DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04512-3

Background Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. Finding novel therapeutic agents with significant cytotoxic action and minimal adverse impact on normal cells becomes crucial. Today, natural anticancer agents present an unconventional method of treating cancer, either as a curative or preventative agent, with considerable concern for marine organisms. Methods The anticancer effect of the alcoholic extract of different Red Sea Seagrasses on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line has been investigated. Seagrasses were collected from Wadi El Gamal, Red Sea and extracted. Qualitative HPLC analysis was performed on the extracts for the identification of their active biomarkers. This study was aimed to explore the cytotoxic impact of Thalassia hemprichii (Ehren.) and Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle on MCF-7 and their mode of action. Their anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells were performed using Neutral red assay. On the other hand, their apoptotic effect and their capacity to induce cell cycle arrest were investigated by flow cytometry assay. The effect of Seagrasses on the mitochondrial membrane potential ([DELA][PSI]M) was studied by using JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit in Seagrasses treated cancer cells to [DELA][PSI] Caspases 3/7activity was examined using the colorimetric method. Gene expression analysis and quantitative real time RT-PCR for the sea grasses on MCF-7 was performed. Immune-blotting technique for Bcl-2 and p53 was investigated. Results HPLC analysis demonstrated that the extracts contained mainly flavonoids and polyphenols such as Caffeic acid, Chlorogenic acids, catechin and kaempferol that might be responsible for these anticancer effects. Seagrasses alcoholic crude extract markedly suppressed the growth and expansion of MCF-7 cells concentration-dependently with no toxicity against normal human skin fibroblast HSF. Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides trigger mode of cell death primarily via apoptosis as confirmed by the flow cytometry. Additionally, they have ability to induce G0/S cell cycle arrest in MCF-7. The data showed the depletion in mitochondrial membrane potential ([DELA][PSI]M) in the treated cells dose-dependently Caspases 3/7activities markedly increased following 24 h treatment. Finally, Gene expression analysis showed a marked reduction in Bcl-2, Survivin and CDC2 gene expression levels and a significant increase in the expression of p53 and CC2D1A as compared to contro