Objective: To study mechanism of antitumor activity of Sargassum Fusiforme Polysaccharide (SFPS).
Method: The effect on cell cycle and apoptosis was studied with flow cytometry (FCM). Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was marked with Fluo-3/AM and measured with laser scanner confocal microscope (LSCM).
Result: SFPS inhibited G0/G1 stage SGC-7901 from entering to S stage and increased APO%. The [Ca2+]i showed a transient rise and return to the original level. The concentration could be raised again by administering CaCl2.
Conclusion: The antitumor effect of SFPS seems to be accomplished through the apoptosis associated with the increase in intracellular calcium concentration. Intracellular stores release the calcium during its action.