Anti-tumor effect of M2000 (β-d-mannuronic acid) on the expression of inflammatory molecules in the prostate cancer cell

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of alginic acid from Sargassum angustifolium harvested from Persian Gulf shores using response surface methodology

In this study, the extraction and characterization of alginic acid, the most abundant compound among brown algae were investigated. The used algae were Sargassum angustifolium from the family of brown algae native to the coasts of the Persian Gulf. The effect of temperature, time, algae mass to solvent volume ratio, and ultrasonic power on the extraction yield and ratio of monomers (M/G) was investigated using the central composite design method. Moreover, the effect of the mentioned parameters on the poly dispersity index and cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cells were also investigated. The maximum obtained extraction yield was 46 %, which was higher than those reported for algae in tropical climates. This shows the effectiveness of ultrasound in facilitating the extraction process. In addition, the minimum monomer ratio was 0.45, the minimum poly dispersity index was 2.5 and the maximum cytotoxicity for using the extract on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was 20.3 % (with alginic acid concentration of 250 micrograms per milliliter).

Fluorescent Labeling of Polymannuronic Acid and Its Distribution in Mice by Tail Vein Injection

Polymannuronic acid (PM) possesses more pharmacological activities than sodium alginate, but there have been few studies on its absorption mechanism, tissue distribution, and pharmacokinetics. Studies of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution are necessary to elucidate the pharmacological effects of PM. Thus, we used fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to produce fluorescently labeled PM (FITC-PM) and detected the distribution and pharmacokinetics of PM in vivo via tail vein injection. The results demonstrate that the FITC-PM showed high stability in different pH solutions. After the tail vein injection, FITC-PM tended to be distributed in the kidney, followed by the liver and in the heart, spleen, and lungs at lower concentrations. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the elimination rate constant of FITC-PM was 0.24, the half-life time was 2.85 h, the peak concentration was 235.17 μg/mL, the area under the curve was 631.48 μg/mL·h, the area under the curve by statistical moment was 1843.15 μg/mL·h², the mean residence time was 2.92 h, and the clearance rate was 79.18 mL/h. These results indicate that FITC-PM could be used for PM distribution and pharmacokinetic studies, and the studies of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution provided basic information that can be used to further clarify PM pharmacodynamic mechanisms.

Evaluation of G2013 (α-L-guluronic acid) efficacy on PC-3 cells through inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors

Given multiple treatment strategies for prostate cancer, its mortality rate is still high; therefore, novel treatment strategies seem necessary. G2013 or α-L-guluronic acid is a new patented drug with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the property of G2013 on inflammatory molecules involved in tumorigenesis of prostate cancer. MTT assay was used to assess the effect of the drug on the proliferation of PC-3 cells. Expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8), Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD-88), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 genes were studied in the PC-3 cells treated with 25 (low dose) or 50 (high dose) µg/mL of G2013 for 24 h using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique. Protein expression of NF-κB and protein activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assayed using flow cytometry and gelatin zymography, respectively. The expression of COX-2 (p = 0.007 at low dose), MMP-2 (p = 0.023 at low dose, p = 0.002 at high dose), NF-κB (p = 0.004 at low dose) and IL-8 (p < 0.0001 in both doses) genes, NF-κB protein (p < 0.0001 in both doses), and MMP-2 activity (p < 0.0001 in both doses) were significantly reduced in the presence of G2013 as compared to the control group. Cancer cell proliferation was also inhibited under 10-500 µg/mL G2013 treatment. Our results revealed that G2013 has the potential to inhibit PC-3 cell proliferation and reduce the expression of tumour-promoting mediators, COX-2, MMP-2, NF-κB, and IL-8 involved in the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer.