Abstract:
Cancer is a major health problem all over the world. Seaweeds and its active
compounds have shown their potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells opening new
sights for the production of new therapeutics. This study was performed to determine
the cytotoxic effect and anti-cancer activity of aqueous extracts of selected Sri
Lankan seaweed species on cancer (HeLa) and normal (Baby Hamster Kidney
fibroblasts, BHK) cell lines. In addition, seaweed species with potent anticancer
effect against cancer cell line was investigated. Samples of Ulva faciata (SW 01),
Caulerpa racemosa (SW 02), Gracilaria corticata (SW 03), Sargassum illicifolium
(SW 15) and Jania adhaereus (SW 26) were collected from Northern, Southern and
North Western coastal sites of Sri Lanka. Aqueous extracts of seaweeds were
prepared by soaking dried, powdered seaweed samples in distilled water through a
modified method. Cells were cultured in a 96-well plate in Roswell Park Memorial
Institute (RPMI 1640) medium and after 24-hour incubation, cells were treated with
different seaweed extracts. Tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay (in-vitro) was
carried out after 24-hour incubation to determine cytotoxicity and anticancer effects.
Viability percentages and growth inhibition rates for both cell types and with controls
were compared. It was found that the seaweed extracts from different species showed
significantly variable responses against cancer and normal cell lines. All seaweed
extracts showed significant cytotoxic effect on cancer (HeLa) cells.
