Inhibitory effects of fucoxanthin, a natural carotenoid, on N-myc expression and cell cycle progression in human malignant tumor cells

doi:10.1016/0304-3835(90)90068-9

Cancer Letters

Volume 55, Issue 1, 19 November 1990, Pages 75-81

https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3835(90)90068-9 Get rights and content

Abstract

Fucoxanthin, a natural carotenoid prepared from brown algae, inhibited the growth of GOTO cells, a human neuroblastoma cell line. Fucoxanthin at 10 μg/ml reduced the growth rate of GOTO cells to 38% of the control at day 3 after drug treatment. Flowcytometric analysis revealed that fucoxanthin caused the arrest in the G₀–G₁ phase of cell cycle. Expression of N-myc gene was proved to be decreased by fucoxanthin as early as 4 h after treatment at 10 μg/ml and that may be important for the mechanism of anti-proliferative action of the carotenoid.

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Citation Excerpt :
Fucoxanthin extracted and isolated from Hizikia fusiformis, a brown alga widely consumed in Korea, Japan, and China, has been demonstrated to inhibit the expression of N-myc, a proto-oncogene protein, as well as the proliferation of GOTO cells, a cell line responsible for human neuroblastoma. An amount of fucoxanthin equivalent to 1–10 g/mL is enough to inhibit the growth rate of such a cell line (GOTO) at 38%, decreasing the rate of progression of this neurodegenerative disease, so even though results using fucoxanthin are positive; it will take time to combat it (Okuzumi et al., 1990). Another study showed that fucoxanthin obtained from wakame also achieved a decrease in cellular damage of cortical neurons when hypoxia and oxygen reperfusion conditions were induced.
Fucoxanthin is a pigment present in diverse marine organisms such as micro and macro-algae. The most relevant source of fucoxanthin has been described to be the group of the brown macroalgae, also known as Phaeophyceae. The presence of the fucoxanthin, a xanthophyll, found as an accessory pigment in the chloroplasts of the brown algae is responsible for providing them their characteristic color. The market size of this carotenoid, expected to reach US$ 120 million by 2022, reflects its industrial importance, especially remarkable as a food or cosmetic ingredient.
Therefore, it is critical to recognize the main sources of fucoxanthin as well as the most efficient extraction and purification methods that allow obtaining the best production ratio for such a valuable molecule. Throughout this review very different preventive properties of the fucoxanthin have been included, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, antiobesity, neuroprotective and its skin protective effects. The stability, bioavailability and toxicity of the fucoxanthin have also been reviewed through diverse biological, in vitro and in vivo assays.
Thus, the main aim of this work is to provide a wide and global vision of the fucoxanthin in terms of productive species, efficient recovery techniques and multiple industrial applications.
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View full text

Inhibitory effects of fucoxanthin, a natural carotenoid, on N-myc expression and cell cycle progression in human malignant tumor cells

Abstract

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Nutr.

J. Nutr.

Functional role for c-myc in mitogenic response to platelet-derived growth factor

Nature

Comparison of mathematical methods for the analysis of DNA cytometry

Cell Tissue Kinet.

Inhibitory Effects of α-Carotene on Proliferation of Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line GOTO

J. Natl. Cancer Inst.

β-Carotene and canthaxanthin inhibit chemically-and physically-induced neoplastic transformation in 10T12 cells

Carcinogenesis

Amplified DNA with limited homology to myc cellular oncogene is shared by human neuroblastoma cell lines and a neuroblastoma tumour

Nature

β-Carotene and canthaxanthin inhibit chemically-and physically-induced neoplastic transformation in $10T 12$ cells