Fucoxanthin Holds Potential to Become a Drug Adjuvant in Breast Cancer Treatment: Evidence from 2D and 3D Cell Cultures

N-desmethyldauricine from Menispermum dauricum DC suppresses triple-negative breast cancer growth in 2D and 3D models by downregulating the NF-κB signaling pathway

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, for which targeted therapy regimens are lacking. The traditional Chinese medicine Menispermum dauricum DC (M. dauricum) and its compounds have been reported to have antitumor activity against various cancers; however, their anti-TNBC activity is unknown. In this work, dauricine and N-desmethyldauricine from M. dauricum were separated and identified to have anti-TNBC via a multi-component bioactivity and structure-guided method. The cell counting kit 8 assay showed that dauricine and N-desmethyldauricine inhibited the proliferation of four tested TNBC cell lines, with half maximal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 5.01 μM to 13.16 μM. Further research suggested that N-desmethyldauricine induced cell apoptosis, arrested cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase, and inhibited cell migration. Western blot analysis revealed that the proapoptotic protein cleaved-poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 was upregulated, and the G0/G1 phase-related proteins cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and cyclin D1 and the migration-related protein matrix metallopeptidase 9 were downregulated. Furthermore, N-desmethyldauricine decreased the protein expression of p65, an important subunit of nuclear factor kappa-beta (NF-κB). Moreover, an antiproliferation assay of three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroids showed that N-desmethyldauricine diminished cell‒cell adhesion and suppressed the growth of TNBC 3D spheroids. Taken together, these findings indicate that N-desmethyldauricine inhibited the proliferation of TNBC cells and decreased the expression of p65 in the NF-κB pathway.

Recent Advances in the Therapeutic Potential of Carotenoids in Preventing and Managing Metabolic Disorders

Carotenoids constitute compounds of significant biological interest due to their multiple biological activities, such as antimicrobial, anticancer, antiadipogenic, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprehends a series of metabolic abnormalities (e.g., hypertension, obesity, and atherogenic dyslipidemia) that can affect children, adolescents, and the elderly. The treatment of MetS involves numerous medications, which, despite their efficacy, pose challenges due to prolonged use, high costs, and various side effects. Carotenoids and their derivatives have been proposed as alternative treatments to MetS because they reduce serum triglyceride concentrations, promote insulin response, inhibit adipogenesis, and downregulate angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. However, carotenoids are notably sensitive to pH, light exposure, and temperature. This review addresses the activity of carotenoids such as lycopene, lutein, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, crocin, and β-carotene towards MetS. It includes a discussion of sources, extraction methods, and characterization techniques for analyzing carotenoids. Encapsulation approaches are critically reviewed as alternatives to prevent degradation and improve the biological performance of carotenoids. A brief overview of the physiopathology and epidemiology of the diseases, including MetS, is also provided.

The Ocean's Pharmacy: Health Discoveries in Marine Algae

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a global health challenge, constituting a major cause of mortality and disease burden in the 21st century. Addressing the prevention and management of NCDs is crucial for improving global public health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies, early interventions, and innovative therapeutic approaches to mitigate their far-reaching consequences. Marine organisms, mainly algae, produce diverse marine natural products with significant therapeutic potential. Harnessing the largely untapped potential of algae could revolutionize drug development and contribute to combating NCDs, marking a crucial step toward natural and targeted therapeutic approaches. This review examines bioactive extracts, compounds, and commercial products derived from macro- and microalgae, exploring their protective properties against oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic diseases, and cancer across in vitro, cell-based, in vivo, and clinical studies. Most research focuses on macroalgae, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, gut health modulation, metabolic health promotion, and anti-cancer effects. Microalgae products also exhibit anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Although studies mainly investigated extracts and fractions, isolated compounds from algae have also been explored. Notably, polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, and terpenes emerge as prominent compounds, collectively representing 42.4% of the investigated compounds.

Marine-Derived Anticancer Agents Targeting Apoptotic Pathways: Exploring the Depths for Novel Cancer Therapies

Extensive research has been conducted on the isolation and study of bioactive compounds derived from marine sources. Several natural products have demonstrated potential as inducers of apoptosis and are currently under investigation in clinical trials. These marine-derived compounds selectively interact with extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways using a variety of molecular mechanisms, resulting in cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, cytoplasmic blebs, apoptotic bodies, and phagocytosis by adjacent parenchymal cells, neoplastic cells, or macrophages. Numerous marine-derived compounds are currently undergoing rigorous examination for their potential application in cancer therapy. This review examines a total of 21 marine-derived compounds, along with their synthetic derivatives, sourced from marine organisms such as sponges, corals, tunicates, mollusks, ascidians, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, and actinobacteria. These compounds are currently undergoing preclinical and clinical trials to evaluate their potential as apoptosis inducers for the treatment of different types of cancer. This review further examined the compound's properties and mode of action, preclinical investigations, clinical trial studies on single or combination therapy, and the prospective development of marine-derived anticancer therapies.

Anticancer Effects of Fucoxanthin through Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis Induction, and Angiogenesis Inhibition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

The absence of progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 restricts the therapy choices for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Moreover, conventional medication is not highly effective in treating TNBC, and developing effective therapeutic agents from natural bioactive compounds is a viable option. In this study, the anticancer effects of the natural compound fucoxanthin were investigated in two genetically different models of TNBC cells: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Fucoxanthin had a significant anticancer effect in both cell lines at a concentration range of 1.56-300 µM. The compound decreased cell viability in both cell lines with higher potency in MDA-MB-468 cells. Meanwhile, proliferation assays showed similar antiproliferative effects in both cell lines after 48 h and 72 h treatment periods. Flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay revealed the ability of fucoxanthin to induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 only. Cell cycle arrest analysis showed that the compound also induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in both cell lines, accompanied by more cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells at S-phase and a higher cell cycle arrest in the MDA-MB-468 cells at G2-phase. Wound healing and migration assay showed that in both cell lines, fucoxanthin prevented migration, but was more effective in MDA-MB-231 cells in a shorter time. In both angiogenic cytokine array and RT-PCR studies, fucoxanthin (6.25 µM) downregulated VEGF-A and -C expression in TNF-α-stimulated (50 ng/mL) MDA-MB-231, but not in MDA-MB-468 cells on the transcription and protein levels. In conclusion, this study shows that fucoxanthin was more effective in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, where it can target VEGF-A and VEGF-C, inhibit cell proliferation and cell migration, and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-the most crucial cellular processes involved in breast cancer development and progression.

Gemcitabine‑fucoxanthin combination in human pancreatic cancer cells

Gemcitabine is a chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer treatment. It has also been demonstrated to inhibit human pancreatic cancer cell lines, MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the suppressive effect of fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid, in combination with gemcitabine on pancreatic cancer cells. MTT assays and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry were performed to study the mechanism of action. The results revealed that combining a low dose of fucoxanthin with gemcitabine enhanced the cell viability of human embryonic kidney cells, 293, while a high dose of fucoxanthin enhanced the inhibitory effect of gemcitabine on the cell viability of this cell line. In addition, the enhanced effect of fucoxanthin on the inhibitory effect of gemcitabine on PANC-1 cells was significant (P<0.01). Fucoxanthin combined with gemcitabine also exerted significant enhancement of the anti-proliferation effect in MIA PaCa-2 cells in a concentration dependent manner (P<0.05), compared with gemcitabine treatment alone. In conclusion, fucoxanthin improved the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine on human pancreatic cancer cells at concentrations that were not cytotoxic to non-cancer cells. Thus, fucoxanthin has the potential to be used as an adjunct in pancreatic cancer treatment.

Pro-Apoptotic Activity and Cell Cycle Arrest of Caulerpa sertularioides against SKLU-1 Cancer Cell in 2D and 3D Cultures

Cancer is a disease with the highest mortality and morbidity rate worldwide. First-line drugs induce several side effects that drastically reduce the quality of life of people with this disease. Finding molecules to prevent it or generate less aggressiveness or no side effects is significant to counteract this problem. Therefore, this work searched for bioactive compounds of marine macroalgae as an alternative treatment. An 80% ethanol extract of dried Caulerpa sertularioides (CSE) was analyzed by HPLS-MS to identify the chemical components. CSE was utilized through a comparative 2D versus 3D culture model. Cisplatin (Cis) was used as a standard drug. The effects on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and tumor invasion were evaluated. The IC₅₀ of CSE for the 2D model was 80.28 μg/mL versus 530 μg/mL for the 3D model after 24 h of treatment exposure. These results confirmed that the 3D model is more resistant to treatments and complex than the 2D model. CSE generated a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, induced apoptosis by extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, upregulated caspases-3 and -7, and significantly decreased tumor invasion of a 3D SKLU-1 lung adenocarcinoma cell line. CSE generates biochemical and morphological changes in the plasma membrane and causes cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases. These findings conclude that C. sertularioides is a potential candidate for alternative treatment against lung cancer. This work reinforced the use of complex models for drug screening and suggested using CSE's primary component, caulerpin, to determine its effect and mechanism of action on SKLU-1 in the future. A multi-approach with molecular and histological analysis and combination with first-line drugs must be included.

Haloarchaeal carotenoids exert an in vitro antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cell lines

Oxidative stress has been linked to the onset and progression of different neoplasia. Antioxidants might help prevent it by modulating biochemical processes involved in cell proliferation. Here, the aim was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic effect of Haloferax mediterranei bacterioruberin-rich carotenoid extracts (BRCE) (0-100 µg/ml) in six BC cell lines, representative of the intrinsic phenotypes and a healthy mammary epithelium cell line. Cell index values were obtained using xCELLigence RTCA System. Furthermore, cell diameter, viability, and concentration were measured at 12 h, 24 h, and 30 h. We found that BC cells were selectively affected by BRCE (SI > 1, p < 0.005). After 30 h, the population of BC cells exposed to 100 µg/ml was 11.7-64.6% of the control (p = 0.0001-0.0009). Triple-negative cells were significantly affected [MDA-MB-231 (IC₅₀ 51.8 µg/ml, p < 0.0001) and MDA-MB-468 (IC₅₀ 63.9 µg/ml, p < 0.0001)]. Cell size was also reduced after 30 h treatment in 3.8 (± 0.1) µm and 3.3 (± 0.02) µm for SK-BR-3 (p < 0.0001) and MDA-MB-468 (p < 0.0001), respectively. In conclusion, Hfx. mediterranei BRCE exerts a cytotoxic effect on BC cell lines representative of all studied intrinsic subtypes. Furthermore, results obtained for MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 are very promising, considering the aggressive behaviour of the triple-negative BC subtype.

Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Preussin, a Marine Fungal Metabolite, against the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line, MDA-MB-231, in 2D and 3D Cultures

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents an aggressive subtype of breast cancer (BC) with a typically poorer prognosis than other subtypes of BC and limited therapeutic options. Therefore, new drugs would be particularly welcome to help treat TNBC. Preussin, isolated from the marine sponge-associated fungus, Aspergillus candidus, has shown the potential to reduce cell viability and proliferation as well as to induce cell death and cell cycle arrest in 2D cell culture models. However, studies that better mimic the tumors in vivo, such as 3D cell cultures, are needed. Here, we studied the effects of preussin in the MDA-MB-231 cell line, comparing 2D and 3D cell cultures, using ultrastructural analysis and the MTT, BrdU, annexin V-PI, comet (alkaline and FPG modified versions), and wound healing assays. Preussin was found to decrease cell viability, both in 2D and 3D cell cultures, in a dose-dependent manner, impair cell proliferation, and induce cell death, therefore excluding the hypothesis of genotoxic properties. The cellular impacts were reflected by ultrastructural alterations in both cell culture models. Preussin also significantly inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. The new data expanded the knowledge on preussin actions while supporting other studies, highlighting its potential as a molecule or scaffold for the development of new anticancer drugs against TNBC.

Fucoxanthin Inactivates the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway to Mediate Malignant Biological Behaviors of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Although lung cancer treatment strategies have improved in recent years, the 5-year overall survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains less than 15%. Chemotherapy is considered the most promising option in the comprehensive treatment of NSCLC. Fucoxanthin (FX) is a natural product derived from brown algae and has extensive applications in medicine. Previous studies reported that FX effectively inhibits the growth of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism underlying the anti-NSCLC effect of FX remains unknown. In this study, NSCLC cell lines and a xenograft nude mouse model were used to examine the anti-NSCLC activities of FX in vitro and in vivo. Network pharmacology analysis and inhibitors or activators of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were used to explore the anti-NSCLC mechanisms of FX. The results indicated that FX could inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion, arrest cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, and induce apoptosis of NSCLC cells in vitro. Additionally, FX suppressed tumor growth in vivo. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was found to be involved in the anti-NSCLC activity of FX. In conclusion, FX inhibits malignant biological behaviors of NSCLC by suppressing the phosphorylation of both PI3K and AKT, and subsequently inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Fucoxanthin Is a Potential Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Although there are first-line treatments for BC, drug resistances and adverse events have been reported. Given the incidence of BC keeps increasing, seeking novel therapeutics is urgently needed. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a dietary carotenoid commonly found in seaweeds and diatoms. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that Fx and its deacetylated metabolite fucoxanthinol (Fxol) inhibit and prevent BC growth. The NF-κB signaling pathway is considered the major pathway contributing to the anti-proliferation, anti-angiogenesis and pro-apoptotic effects of Fx and Fxol. Other signaling molecules such as MAPK, MMP2/9, CYP and ROS are also involved in the anti-cancer effects by regulating the tumor microenvironment, cancer metastasis, carcinogen metabolism and oxidation. Besides, Fx also possesses anti-obesity effects by regulating UCP1 levels and lipid metabolism, which may help to reduce BC risk. More importantly, mounting evidence demonstrates that Fx overcomes drug resistance. This review aims to give an updated summary of the anti-cancer effects of Fx and summarize the underlying mechanisms of action, which will provide novel strategies for the development of Fx as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent.

A Systematic Review on Marine Algae-Derived Fucoxanthin: An Update of Pharmacological Insights

Fucoxanthin, belonging to the xanthophyll class of carotenoids, is a natural antioxidant pigment of marine algae, including brown macroalgae and diatoms. It represents 10% of the total carotenoids in nature. The plethora of scientific evidence supports the potential benefits of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses of fucoxanthin for boosting human health and disease management. Due to its unique chemical structure and action as a single compound with multi-targets of health effects, it has attracted mounting attention from the scientific community, resulting in an escalated number of scientific publications from January 2017 to February 2022. Fucoxanthin has remained the most popular option for anti-cancer and anti-tumor activity, followed by protection against inflammatory, oxidative stress-related, nervous system, obesity, hepatic, diabetic, kidney, cardiac, skin, respiratory and microbial diseases, in a variety of model systems. Despite much pharmacological evidence from in vitro and in vivo findings, fucoxanthin in clinical research is still not satisfactory, because only one clinical study on obesity management was reported in the last five years. Additionally, pharmacokinetics, safety, toxicity, functional stability, and clinical perspective of fucoxanthin are substantially addressed. Nevertheless, fucoxanthin and its derivatives are shown to be safe, non-toxic, and readily available upon administration. This review will provide pharmacological insights into fucoxanthin, underlying the diverse molecular mechanisms of health benefits. However, it requires more activity-oriented translational research in humans before it can be used as a multi-target drug.