The green microalga Tetraselmis suecica reduces oxidative stress and induces repairing mechanisms in human cells

Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 24:7:41215. doi: 10.1038/srep41215.

Abstract

Green microalgae contain many active pigments such as carotenoids having antioxidant and protective activity on human cells. Here we investigate the biological activity of an ethanol/water extract of the marine green microalga Tetraselmis suecica containing high levels of carotenoids such as the xanthophylls lutein, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, antheraxanthin and loroxanthin esters. This extract has a strong antioxidant and repairing activity in the human lung cancer cell line (A549) as shown by the increased expression of dehydrocholesterol reductase-24 (DHCR24) and prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1) genes and proteins. The extract also reduces prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in cells damaged by H2O2 and has tissue repairing effects on reconstructed human epidermal tissue cells (EpiDermTM) indicating a potential cosmeceutical activity of this microalgal species.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Carotenoids / isolation & purification
  • Carotenoids / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorophyta / chemistry*
  • Epidermis / drug effects
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Microalgae / chemistry*
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Pigments, Biological / chemistry
  • Pigments, Biological / isolation & purification
  • Pigments, Biological / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Pigments, Biological
  • Carotenoids
  • Hydrogen Peroxide