The Potential of Brittle Star Extracted Polysaccharide in Promoting Apoptosis via Intrinsic Signaling Pathway
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Javad Baharara1, Elaheh Amini2
1Research Center for Animal Development Applied Biology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
Background:
Anti-cancer potential of marine natural products such as polysaccharides represented therapeutic potential in oncological researches. In this study, total polysaccharide from brittle star [Ophiocoma erinaceus (O. erinaceus)] was extracted and chemopreventive efficacy of Persian Gulf brittle star polysaccharide was investigated in HeLa human cervical cancer cells.
Methods:
To extract polysaccharide, dried brittle stars were ground and extracted mechanically. Then, detection of polysaccharide was performed by phenol sulfuric acid, Ultra Violet (UV)-sulfuric acid method and FTIR. The anti proliferative activity of isolated polysaccharide was examined by MTT assay and evaluation of cell death was done through morphological cell changes; Propodium Iodide staining, fluorescence microscopy and caspase-3, -9 enzymatic measurements. To assess its underlying mechanism, expression of Bax, Bcl-2 was evaluated.
Results:
The polysaccharide detection methods demonstrated isolation of crude polysaccharide from Persian Gulf brittle star. The results revealed that O. erinaceus polysaccharide suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cells in a dose and time dependent manner. Morphological observation of DAPI and Acridine Orange/Propodium Iodide staining was documented by typical characteristics of apoptotic cell death. Flow cytometry analyses exhibited the accumulation of treated cells in sub-G1 region. Additionally, polysaccharide extracted induced intrinsic apoptosis via up-regulation of caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax along with down-regulation of Bcl-2 in HeLa cells.
Conclusion:
Taken together, the apoptosis inducing effect of brittle star polysaccharide via intrinsic pathway confirmed the anti tumor potential of marine polysaccharide. Therefore, these findings proposed new insight into anti cancer properties of brittle star polysaccharide as a promising agent in cervical cancer treatment.
Insights
Marine brittle star polysaccharide from Ophiocoma erinaceus exhibits anti-cancer effects. This study demonstrates its ability to induce apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells, suggesting potential for novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Marine natural products, including polysaccharides, show promise in cancer research.
- Polysaccharides from the brittle star Ophiocoma erinaceus were investigated for their anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extract and characterize polysaccharide from Ophiocoma erinaceus.
- To evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of this marine polysaccharide on HeLa human cervical cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Polysaccharide extraction and detection using phenol sulfuric acid, UV-sulfuric acid, and FTIR.
- Anti-proliferative activity assessed via MTT assay.
- Apoptosis evaluated through morphological changes, staining (PI, AO), and caspase activity (caspase-3, -9).
- Gene expression analysis of Bax and Bcl-2.
Main Results:
- Crude polysaccharide was successfully isolated from O. erinaceus.
- The polysaccharide inhibited HeLa cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Apoptotic cell death was confirmed by morphological changes and sub-G1 accumulation.
- Intrinsic apoptosis was induced via upregulation of caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax, and downregulation of Bcl-2.
Conclusions:
- Brittle star polysaccharide induces apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway.
- This marine-derived compound demonstrates significant anti-tumor potential.
- O. erinaceus polysaccharide is a promising candidate for cervical cancer treatment.
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