BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is the leading type of primary malignancy in the uterus, causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Traditional treatments often result in severe side effects and recurrence, highlighting the need for safer alternatives. This study investigates the anticancer potential of Tetraselmis suecica, a green microalga known for its bioactive compounds.

METHODS

HeLa cervical cancer cells and HUVEC were treated with varying concentrations of T. suecica (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml) for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and gene expression related to apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2, Caspases-3, -8, -9, PTEN, and AKT) was evaluated via real-time PCR for HeLa cells. Apoptosis was quantified using Annexin-V/PI double-staining for HeLa cells as well. The effect on HUVEC cells was assessed only by the MTT assay.

RESULTS

Treatment with T. suecica significantly reduced HeLa cell viability to 25% at 75 mg/ml and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic genes while decreasing anti-apoptotic markers. Apoptotic cell populations rose markedly, indicating that T. suecica induces apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. However, no significant effect on cell viability or apoptosis was observed in HUVEC cells, suggesting that T. suecica selectively targets cancer cells without affecting normal endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

T. suecica exhibits promising anticancer properties and may serve as a novel therapeutic agent for cervical cancer, warranting further research into its mechanisms and therapeutic applications. The selective activity on cancer cells and lack of toxicity to normal cells such as HUVECs further supports its potential for targeted cancer therapy.