Anticancer activities of ethanol extract from the Antarctic freshwater microalga, Botryidiopsidaceae sp

Prospecting bioactivity in Antarctic algae: A review of extracts, isolated compounds and their effects

Algae and its metabolites have been a popular subject of research in numerous fields over the years. Various reviews have been written on algal bioactive components, but a specific focus on Antarctic-derived algae is seldom reviewed. Due to the extreme climate conditions of Antarctica, it is hypothesized that the acclimatized algae may have given rise to a new set of bioactive compounds as a result of adaptation. Although most studies done on Antarctic algae are based on ecological and physiological studies, as well as in the field of nanomaterial synthesis, some studies point out the potential therapeutic properties of these compounds. As an effort to shed light on a different application of Antarctic algae, this review focuses on evaluating its different medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and skin protective effects.

Microalgae as future food: Rich nutrients, safety, production costs and environmental effects

The improvement of food security and nutrition has attracted wide attention, and microalgae as the most promising food source are being further explored. This paper comprehensively introduces basic and functional nutrients rich in microalgae by elaborated tables incorporating a wide variety of studies and summarizes factors influencing their accumulation effects. Subsequently, multiple comparisons of nutrients were conducted, indicating that microalgae have a high protein content. Moreover, controllable production costs and environmental friendliness prompt microalgae into the list that contains more promising and reliable future food. However, microalgae and -based foods approved and sold are limited strictly, showing that safety is a key factor affecting dietary consideration. Notably, sensory profiles and ingredient clarity play an important role in improving the acceptance of microalgae-based foods. Finally, based on the bottleneck in the microalgae food industry, suggestions for its future development were discussed.

Polar microalgae extracts protect human HaCaT keratinocytes from damaging stimuli and ameliorate psoriatic skin inflammation in mice

BACKGROUND

Polar microalgae contain unique compounds that enable them to adapt to extreme environments. As the skin barrier is our first line of defense against external threats, polar microalgae extracts may possess restorative properties for damaged skin, but the potential of microalgae extracts as skin protective agents remains unknown.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to analyze compound profiles from polar microalgae extracts, evaluate their potential as skin epithelial protective agents, and examine the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Six different polar microalgae, Micractinium sp. (KSF0015 and KSF0041), Chlamydomonas sp. (KNM0029C, KSF0037, and KSF0134), and Chlorococcum sp. (KSF0003), were collected from the Antarctic or Arctic regions. Compound profiles of polar and non-polar microalgae extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The protective activities of polar microalgae extracts on human keratinocyte cell lines against oxidative stress, radiation, and psoriatic cytokine exposure were assessed. The potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms mediated by KSF0041, a polar microalga with protective properties against oxidative stress, ultraviolet (UV) B, and an inflammatory cytokine cocktail, were investigated using RNA-sequencing analysis. To evaluate the therapeutic activity of KSF0041, an imiquimod-induced murine model of psoriatic dermatitis was used.

RESULTS

Polar microalgae contain components comparable to those of their non-polar counterparts, but also showed distinct differences, particularly in fatty acid composition. Polar microalgae extracts had a greater ability to scavenge free radicals than did non-polar microalgae and enhanced the viability of HaCaT cells, a human keratinocyte cell line, following exposure to UVB radiation or psoriatic cytokines. These extracts also reduced barrier integrity damage and decreased mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines in psoriatic HaCaT cells. Treatment with KSF0041 extract altered the transcriptome of psoriatic HaCaT cells toward a more normal state. Furthermore, KSF0041 extract had a therapeutic effect in a mouse model of psoriasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Bioactive compounds from polar microalgae extracts could provide novel therapeutics for damaged and/or inflamed skin.

Current Status and Perspective on the Use of Viral-Based Vectors in Eukaryotic Microalgae

During the last two decades, microalgae have attracted increasing interest, both commercially and scientifically. Commercial potential involves utilizing valuable natural compounds, including carotenoids, polysaccharides, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are widely applicable in food, biofuel, and pharmaceutical industries. Conversely, scientific potential focuses on bioreactors for producing recombinant proteins and developing viable technologies to significantly increase the yield and harvest periods. Here, viral-based vectors and transient expression strategies have significantly contributed to improving plant biotechnology. We present an updated outlook covering microalgal biotechnology for pharmaceutical application, transformation techniques for generating recombinant proteins, and genetic engineering tactics for viral-based vector construction. Challenges in industrial application are also discussed.

Antioxidant Compounds from Microalgae: A Review

The demand for natural products isolated from microalgae has increased over the last decade and has drawn the attention from the food, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. Among these natural products, the demand for natural antioxidants as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants has increased. In addition, microalgae combine several advantages for the development of biotechnological applications: high biodiversity, photosynthetic yield, growth, productivity and a metabolic plasticity that can be orientated using culture conditions. Regarding the wide diversity of antioxidant compounds and mode of action combined with the diversity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), this review covers a brief presentation of antioxidant molecules with their role and mode of action, to summarize and evaluate common and recent assays used to assess antioxidant activity of microalgae. The aim is to improve our ability to choose the right assay to assess microalgae antioxidant activity regarding the antioxidant molecules studied.

Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Treatment of Cervical Cancer: A Review

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Though several natural products have been reported regarding their efficacies against cervical cancer, there has been no review article that categorized them according to their anti-cancer mechanisms. In this study, anti-cancerous natural products against cervical cancer were collected using Pubmed (including Medline) and google scholar, published within three years. Their mechanisms were categorized as induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, inhibition of metastasis, reduction of resistance, and regulation of miRNAs. A total of 64 natural products suppressed cervical cancer. Among them, Penicillium sclerotiorum extracts from Cassia fistula L., ethanol extracts from Bauhinia variegate candida, thymoquinone obtained from Nigella sativa, lipid-soluble extracts of Pinellia pedatisecta Schott., and 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol extracted from Alpinia conchigera have been shown to have multi-effects against cervical cancer. In conclusion, natural products could be attractive candidates for novel anti-cancer drugs.

Potential utilization of bioproducts from microalgae for the quality enhancement of natural products

Microalgae are autotroph organisms that utilise light energy to synthesize various high-value bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. Due to its fast growth rate and capability to survive in harsh environment, microalgae nowadays are applied in various industrial areas. The process of obtaining microalgae-based biomolecules starts with the selection of suitable microalgae strain, cultivation, followed by downstream processing of the biomass (i.e., pre-treatment, harvesting, extraction and purification). The end products of the processes are biofuels and other valuable bioproducts. Nevertheless, low production yield and high-cost downstream processes are the emerging bottlenecks which need to be addressed in the upscaling of extracted compounds from microalgae biomass. To conclude, tremendous efforts are required to overcome these challenges to revolutionize microalgae into a novel and green factory of different bioactive compounds for industrial necessities to satisfy and fulfil global demands.

Cytotoxic Effects of Pistacia Atlantica (Baneh) Fruit Extract on Human KB Cancer Cell Line

Plants with anticancer properties are considered as cancer preventive and treatment sources, due to their some biological effects. Apoptosis induction and anti-proliferative effects of Baneh extract on various cancer cell lines have been reported. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of this fruit on KB and human gingival fibroblast cell lines (HGF). KB and HGF cells were treated with various concentrations of ethanolic Baneh extract and cisplatin as positive control. Cytotoxic activity and apoptosis induction were investigated using WST-1 and Annexin V assays. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and student's t-tests. IC50 after 24 and 48 hours treatment were respectively 2.6 and 1 mg/mL for KB cell line, and 1.5 and 1.6 mg/mL for HGF cell. During 48 hours Baneh extract induced apoptosis without significant necrosis, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in KB cells was significantly higher than HGF. It seems that ethanolic extract of Baneh contains compounds that can suppress KB cell growth through the induction of apoptosis. Within 48 hours, less cytotoxic effects were observed on normal fibroblast cells; therefore, it might be a potential anticancer agent.