Cytotoxic effect of extract from Dunaliella salina against SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Gen Physiol Biophys. 2015 Apr;34(2):201-7. doi: 10.4149/gpb_2014034. Epub 2015 Feb 12.

Abstract

Cytotoxic effects of essential oils extracted from Dunaliella salina on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were investigated in this study. GC-MS analysis was used for determination of the composition of essential oils found in Dunaliella salina extract. All experimented concentrations of Dunaliella salina extract on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were significantly more cytotoxic than the tested concentrations of the extract on ECV304 human endothelial cells used as a control. Fifthy compounds were detected in GC-MS analysis of the extract, and five major compounds were predominantly found as follows: octadecanoic acid, methyl ester (27.43%); hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (Cas) methyl palmitate (24.82%); 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- (7.39%); octadecanoic acid (5.03%), pentadecanoic acid (3.60%). The cytotoxic activity of Dunaliella salina extract on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells might be due to high concentrations of octadecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid. Furthermore, results indicate that the extract demonstrates some proliferative effect on ECV304 cells in a dose-dependent manner between 0.25 and 5 μg/ml. These results suggest that Dunaliella salina may have anticancer potential against human neuroblastoma cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chlorophyta / chemistry*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology*
  • Oils, Volatile / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Extracts