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Evaluation of Effective MMP Inhibitors from Eight Different Brown Algae in Human Fibrosarcoma HT1080 Cells
Min Joo Bae1, Fatih Karadeniz2, Byul-Nim Ahn3
1Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Medical and Life Science, Silla University, Busan 46958, Korea.
Abstract:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are crucial extracellular matrices degrading enzymes that have important roles in metastasis of cancer progression as well as other significant conditions such as oxidative stress and hepatic fibrosis. Marine plants are on the rise for their potential to provide natural products that exhibit remarkable health benefits. In this context, brown algae species have been of much interest in the pharmaceutical field with reported instances of isolation of bioactive compounds against tumor growth and MMP activity. In this study, eight different brown algae species were harvested, and their extracts were compared in regard to their anti-MMP effects. According to gelatin zymography results, Ecklonia cava, Ecklonia bicyclis, and Ishige okamurae showed higher inhibitory effects than the other samples on MMP-2 and -9 activity at the concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL. However, only I. okamurae was able to regulate the MMP activity through the expression of MMP and tissue inhibitor of MMP observed by mRNA levels. Overall, brown algae species showed to be good sources for anti-MMP agents, while I. okamurae needs to be further studied for its potential to yield pharmaceutical molecules that can regulate MMP-activity through cellular pathways as well as enzymatic inhibition.
Insights
Brown algae extracts, particularly from Ecklonia cava, Ecklonia bicyclis, and Ishige okamurae, inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Ishige okamurae uniquely regulates MMPs at the gene expression level, showing pharmaceutical potential.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key enzymes in extracellular matrix degradation, implicated in cancer metastasis, oxidative stress, and hepatic fibrosis.
- Marine plants, especially brown algae, are recognized for bioactive compounds with significant health benefits, including anti-cancer and MMP inhibitory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) effects of extracts from eight different brown algae species.
- To identify specific brown algae with potent MMP inhibitory activity and investigate their mechanisms of action.
Main Methods:
- Eight brown algae species were extracted and their extracts tested for MMP inhibitory effects using gelatin zymography.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) were analyzed for specific algae species.
Main Results:
- Ecklonia cava, Ecklonia bicyclis, and Ishige okamurae demonstrated significant inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity at tested concentrations.
- Ishige okamurae was the only species found to regulate MMP activity by influencing the expression of MMPs and TIMPs at the mRNA level.
Conclusions:
- Brown algae are promising sources of natural anti-MMP agents.
- Ishige okamurae warrants further investigation for its potential to yield pharmaceutical molecules that modulate MMP activity via both enzymatic inhibition and cellular pathway regulation.
