Background: Although anticancer chemotherapy is effective, it is associated with significant side effects, as well as limited anti tumor efficacy, resulting in tumor recurrence. Novel agents with potent anti tumor effects are needed. One potential source could be products from marine animals since they possess agents with potential anticancer effect.
Aims: To test the potential in vitro anti tumor effects of egg extract and purple fluid from the marine mollusk Aplysia fasciata.
Methods: Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell line, a breast carcinoma, was cultured in vitro with different concentrations of egg extract (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 μg/mL) and purple fluid (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 μg/ml) of A. fasciata for 24 hours. Cell cycle and apoptosis of EAC were analyzed by flow cytometry cell survival was analyzed by trypan blue exclusion and MTT assays. Cells incubated with media were used as negative control, while cells treated with anticancer drug cisplatin (CIS) were used as positive control.
Results: Incubation of EAC cells with egg extract and purple fluid resulted in significant decreases in the number and survival of EAC cells associated with increases in the cell apoptosis in a dose dependant effects. Of interest, high doses of egg extract (250 μg/ml) and purple fluid (2 μg/mL) induced 45% and 38% decrease in the EAC cell numbers as compared to control positive while EAC cells treated with cisplatin induced (25%) decrease in EAC cell number as compared to control positive. Conclusion: the results of this pilot study indicate that both egg extract and purple fluid of A. fasciata possess potential anti tumor effects. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to analyze the anti tumor effect of these agents.