Effect of the Photodynamic Therapy Applications with Potent Microalgae Constituents on Several Types of Tumor

• Published in: Ingénierie et recherche biomédicale Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 51 - 61
• Main Authors: Jabeen, A., Reeder, B., Svistunenko, D., Hisaindee, S., Ashraf, S., Al-Zuhair, S., Battah, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.02.2019
• Subjects: Anticancer agent; Enzymatic extraction; Microalgae; Photodynamic therapy; Photosensitizers; Enzymatic extraction; Microalgae; Anticancer agent; Photodynamic therapy; Photosensitizers
• ISSN: 1959-0318
• DOI: 10.1016/j.irbm.2018.11.003

In recent years, microalgae (MA) have attracted much interest considering their possible therapeutic application. They contain active natural compounds or derivatives (extracts, pure or chemically modified compounds) that have increasing applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The present study aims to examine microalgae for new photosensitizers, with a potential to be used in the light-associated treatment of tumors. Semi-purified extracts of several microalgae strains were evaluated as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications. Four tumor cell lines (A549, LNCap, MCF-7, and MDA-MB 435) were used to assess 34 samples extracted by three methods: cellulase enzyme, lysozyme enzyme and ultra-sonication. The fluorescence measurements and the recorded images alongside the spectral intensities between 650–800 nm wavelengths provided characteristic features to some of the contents of the examined extracts. Several microalgae constituents activated by blue light (BL), red light (RL) or both (in sequence) exhibited significant effects on the viability of the tumor cell lines, decreasing it as much as 95% for certain MA constituents. Majority of the MA constituents showed a higher phototoxicity after exposure to both blue and red lights than the photo-induced toxicity when exposed to a single light source. The viability of the tumor cells exhibited the dose dependent response with the MA constituents. The results clearly showed that MA constituents are potential photosensitizers that have a significant photo-damage effects on the tested cancer cells. •Semi-purified extracts of several microalgae strains were evaluated as photosensitizers.•Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was tested on four tumor cell lines (A549, LNCap, MCF-7, and MDA-MB 435).•Extracts from cellulase, lysozyme and ultra-sonication treated MA cells were examined.•By treatment with MA constituents, viability of tumor cell lines decreased by up to 95% with light activation.•Majority of the MA constituents showed a higher phototoxicity after exposure to both blue and red lights.