Title | The Diatom Cylindrotheca closterium and the Chlorophyll Breakdown Product Pheophorbide a for Photodynamic Therapy Applications |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2023 |
Authors | Saide A, Riccio G, Ianora A, Lauritano C |
Journal | Applied Sciences |
Volume | 13 |
Pagination | 2590 |
ISSN | 2076-3417 |
Keywords | biotechnological applications, cancer, Microalgae, Pheophorbide \textita, photodynamic therapy, RCC1712, \textitCylindrotheca closterium |
Abstract | Microalgae, eukaryotic unicellular plants that are distributed worldwide, have been shown to exert anti-proliferative and anticancer activities on various human cancer cell lines. An example of a microalgal bioactive compound is a chlorophyll breakdown product named Pheophorbide a (Ppa), which has been reported to have anti-proliferative properties against various cell lines. This compound has also been tested with light exposure in photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment. In this paper, we screened eleven marine microalgae against a panel of cancer cells, and evaluated the synergistic anti-proliferative effect with Pheophorbide a, with and without photo-activation. The results showed significant anti-proliferative activity against melanoma cells when Ppa was combined with fraction E of the diatom Cylindrotheca closterium plus 1 h photo-activation. Its activity was also analyzed using gene expression and Western blot experiments. Altogether, these data give new insights into the possible application of microalgae for photodynamic therapy. |
URL | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2590 |
DOI | 10.3390/app13042590 |