STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS, ANTITUMOR AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF POLYSACCHARIDES ISOLATED FROM THE RED ALGAE TRICLEACARPA FRAGILIS GROWING ON THE LEBANESE COAST

Zein S., Haddad M., Krivoruchko E., El-Hajje A., Hazimeh G., Kassem Z. and Kanaan H.*

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to extract, to determine the functional groups and to examine the anti-proliferative and the anti-inflammatory effect of the polysaccharides sulfated galactan and carrageenan extracted from the red algae Tricleacarpa fragilis growing on the Lebanese coast. Materials and Methods: Sulfated galactan and carrageenan were analyzed using 1H NMR, and FTIR methods to reveal their structures. The polysaccharides were tested in-vitro for anti-proliferative activity against the colorectal cancer cell lines (HT 29 and HCT 116) for 24h, 48h and 72h respectively, by the MTT cell viability assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested on the RAW 264.7 cell line using the western blot analysis. Results: The extraction yield of sulfated galactan and carrageenan was 1.7% and 20% respectively. The structures of both polysaccharides were confirmed through the spectrum of 1H NMR. For the anti-proliferative effect, sulfated galactan was able to inhibit the growth of HT 29 and HCT 116 more than carrageenan at the different time intervals. Sulfated galactan was found to have an anti-inflammatory effect, however carrageenan induced the inflammation. Conclusion: This study discusses the structure, the functional groups, the anti-proliferative and the anti-inflammatory effect of sulfated galactan and carrageenan. Both polysaccharides were able to inhibit the growth of HT 29 and HCT 116 with sulfated galactan the more potent. For the anti-inflammatory effect, sulfated galactan inhibited the inflammation while carrageenan induced it. These effects make them candidate in the field of medicine and food industry.

Keywords: Tricleacarpa fragilis, sulfated galactan, carrageenan, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory.