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Microalgae-Derived Carotenoid Extract and Biomass Reduce Viability, Induce Oxidative Stress, and Modulate the
Luisa Chitolina Schetinger1, Loren S B de Jesus2, Nathieli B Bottari2,3
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil.
Abstract:
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is an aggressive and metastatic tumor, resulting in high mortality rates. Despite significant advances in therapeutics, the available treatments still require improvements. Thus, purinergic signaling emerged as a potential pathway to cancer therapy due to its involvement in cell communication, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition, due to safety and acceptable clinical tolerability, carotenoids from microalgae have been investigated as adjuvants in anti-melanoma therapy. Then, this work aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-melanogenic effect of carotenoid extract (CA) and total biomass (BM) of the Scenedesmus obliquus microalgae on two cutaneous melanoma cell lines (A375 and B16F10). Cells were cultivated under ideal conditions and treated with 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM of CA or BM for 24 h. The effects of the compounds on viability, oxidant status, and purinergic signaling were verified. The IC50 cell viability results showed that CA and BM decreased B16F10 viability at 24.29 μM and 74.85 μM, respectively and decreased A375 viability at 73.93 μM and 127.80 μM, respectively. Carotenoid treatment for 24 h in B16F10 and A375 cells increased the release of reactive oxygen species compared to the control. In addition, CA and BM isolated or combined with cisplatin chemotherapy (CIS) modulated the purinergic system in B16F10 and A375 cell lines through P2X7, A2AR, CD39, and 5'-nucleotidase. They led to cell apoptosis and immunoregulation by activating A2A receptors and CD73 inhibition. The results disclose that CA and BM from Scenedesmus obliquus exhibit an anti-melanogenic effect, inhibiting melanoma cell growth.
Insights
Microalgae carotenoids (CA) and biomass (BM) from Scenedesmus obliquus inhibit melanoma cell growth. These compounds modulate purinergic signaling, induce apoptosis, and offer potential as anti-melanoma adjuvants.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is an aggressive cancer with high mortality, necessitating improved treatments.
- Purinergic signaling plays a role in cancer progression and is a potential therapeutic target.
- Microalgae-derived carotenoids (CA) and biomass (BM) show promise as safe adjuvants in anti-melanoma therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro anti-melanogenic effects of Scenedesmus obliquus carotenoid extract (CA) and total biomass (BM).
- To evaluate the impact of CA and BM on melanoma cell viability, oxidant status, and purinergic signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of A375 and B16F10 melanoma cell lines with varying concentrations of CA and BM (10-100 μM) for 24 hours.
- Assessment of cell viability (IC50), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and purinergic signaling markers (P2X7, A2AR, CD39, 5'-nucleotidase).
- Evaluation of combined effects with cisplatin (CIS) chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- CA and BM demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of melanoma cell viability, with lower IC50 values in B16F10 cells compared to A375 cells.
- Carotenoid treatment increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) release in both cell lines.
- CA and BM modulated the purinergic system, including P2X7, A2AR, CD39, and 5'-nucleotidase, promoting apoptosis and immunoregulation via A2A receptor activation and CD73 inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Carotenoid extract (CA) and total biomass (BM) from Scenedesmus obliquus possess significant anti-melanogenic properties.
- These microalgal compounds inhibit melanoma cell proliferation and growth through modulation of purinergic signaling and induction of apoptosis.
- Scenedesmus obliquus-derived CA and BM are potential candidates for adjuvant therapy in cutaneous melanoma treatment.
