The cytotoxicity of the methanol extract of the freshwater sponge Ochridaspongia rotunda (Arndt, 1937) (Malawispongiidae) was evaluated by MTT assay at in vitro conditions against three brain tumour cell lines (Neuro-2A, U-251 MG and U-87 MG). The extract was actually found to be most effective against the malignant glioma U-251 MG cells reaching a promising IC50 value of 1.87 ± 0.09 μg/mL at 96 h. However, it exhibited only a bit of cytotoxicity (IC50 321.14 ± 11.29 μg/mL, 96 h) towards the normal cells. Also, this sponge extract was 5-fold more selective for U-251 MG versus U-87 MG cells. Finally, monitoring genotoxicity at chromosomal level using the micronucleus test practically revealed lack of any significant toxicity of O. rotunda extract, compared to doxorubicin.
Keywords: Bioprospection; Malawispongiidae; Ochridaspongia rotunda; U-251 MG cells; genotoxicity; glioblastoma.