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Effect of Oil Extract from Microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.) on the Viability and Apoptosis of Human Osteosarcoma Cells
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Background:
Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor type that starts in bone and occurs most frequently in adolescents. Traditional techniques are insufficient, especially for metastatic ones. As alternative treatment techniques, natural products are worthy of examining due to being safe and innovative. Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have various positive effects on human health and growth. In addition, some PUFAs show anti-cancer activity by inducing apoptosis, specifically in cancer cells.
Objective:
Here, the study aims to investigate the time and dose-dependent effects of oil extract from Schizochytrium sp. against the osteosarcoma cell line.
Materials And Methods:
Human Fetal Osteoblast Cells (hFOB) and osteosarcoma cells (SAOS-2) were treated with different concentrations of fatty acid samples. GC-FID was performed for fatty acid composition analysis of Schizochytrium sp. MTT-cell viability and Annexin V-apoptosis assays were performed to investigate the time and dose-dependent effects of the samples on cell lines.
Results:
The oil extract sample has a specific activity against the SAOS-2 cancer line and decreases cell proliferation, especially at high dose treatments. Apoptosis assay results indicate that the oil extract sample causes a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the SAOS-2 cell line (71.7% of SAOS-2 cells), which shows its selective activity against bone cancer cell line as a natural anti-cancer molecule.
Conclusion:
It was observed that Schizochytrium sp. extract has a time and dose-dependent ability to induce apoptosis, specifically in SAOS-2 cells.
Insights
Schizochytrium sp. oil extract effectively induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells in a time and dose-dependent manner, showing selective anti-cancer activity. This natural compound offers a promising alternative for treating bone cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Marine Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Osteosarcoma, a common bone cancer in adolescents, often presents challenges with traditional treatments, especially for metastatic cases.
- Natural products, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are being explored as safe and innovative therapeutic alternatives.
- Certain PUFAs exhibit anti-cancer properties by selectively inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of Schizochytrium sp. oil extract on osteosarcoma cells.
- To investigate the time- and dose-dependent impact of the extract on cancer cell viability and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Fatty acid composition of Schizochytrium sp. oil was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID).
- Osteosarcoma (SAOS-2) and human fetal osteoblast (hFOB) cells were treated with varying concentrations of the oil extract.
- Cell viability was assessed using MTT assays, and apoptosis was quantified via Annexin V staining.
Main Results:
- Schizochytrium sp. oil extract demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against the SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cell line.
- Cell proliferation was significantly reduced, particularly at higher concentrations of the extract.
- The extract induced a notable increase in apoptosis in SAOS-2 cells, reaching 71.7% apoptotic cells, highlighting its potential as a natural anti-cancer agent.
Conclusions:
- Schizochytrium sp. extract possesses a time- and dose-dependent capacity to induce apoptosis specifically in osteosarcoma cells.
- The findings support the potential of Schizochytrium sp. as a source of natural anti-cancer molecules for bone cancer treatment.
