Brazilian marine sponge Polymastia janeirensis induces apoptotic cell death in human U138MG glioma cell line, but not in a normal cell culture

Abstract

Marine sponges have been prominently featured in the area of cancer research. Here, we examined the anti-proliferative effects of crude extracts (aqueous and organic) of the Brazilian marine sponge Polymastia janeirensis in the U138MG human glioma cell line. Moreover, we examined the effects of extracts on selective cytotoxicity in the glioma cells in comparison with a normal cell culture. Exposure of glioma cells to treatments (24 h) resulted in cell number decrease at all doses tested, with both aqueous and organic extracts (IC(50) <20 and <30 microg/ml, respectively). Parallel to this result, sponge extracts reduced glioma cell viability (IC(50) <15 microg/ml for both extracts). However, higher doses (50 and 100 microg/ml) induced a stronger cytotoxic effect when compared to the lower dose tested (10 microg/ml), inhibiting more than 80% of cellular growth and viability. Propidium iodide uptake and flow cytometry analysis further showed that sponge extracts caused necrosis in the glioma cell line at higher doses, while a high percentage of apoptotic glioma cells were observed at 10 microg/ml. Moreover, apoptosis was prevented by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD, suggesting that marine sponge extracts, at lower doses, induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in U138MG glioma cells. Surprisingly the extracts herein tested were more effective than temozolomide, a potent inductor of apoptosis used for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Furthermore, our results suggested a selectivity cytotoxic effect on glioma cell line in comparison with a normal cell culture, since the effect on viability found in glioma cells was not observed in astrocyte cultures with the lower dose (10 microg/ml). Thus, this marine sponge may be considered a good candidate for development of new cancer medicines with antitumor activity against gliomas.

In vitroantiplasmodial activity, cytotoxicity and chemical profiles of sponge species of Cuban coasts

“…So far, sterols and tetrahydroxyamide have been reported in the genus Polymastia (Da Frota et al 2009), which are in general agreement with the metabolites detected in P. nigra in this study (Table 2).…”

“…Recent reports demonstrated that the extracts from Polymastia janeirensis exhibited a selective cytotoxic effect on glioma cells compared with a normal cell culture (Da Frota et al 2009), which is similar to our results with P. nigra, but against HeLa cells. So far, sterols and tetrahydroxyamide have been reported in the genus Polymastia (Da Frota et al 2009), which are in general agreement with the metabolites detected in P. nigra in this study (Table 2).…”

Extracts of marine sponge Polymastia janeirensis induce oxidative cell death through a caspase-9 apoptotic pathway in human U138MG glioma cell line

“…Yet, aqueous extracts significantly retarded the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in a chemotactic assay [13]. In other work, an in vitro antiviral activity was observed against the simian rotavirus RV-SA11 with aqueous extract of P. janeirensis [14], and more recently, we reported that aqueous and organic extracts of this marine sponge induced apoptotic cell death in human U138MG glioma cell line, but not in a normal cell culture [15]. This is particularly important because malignant gliomas are characterized by an intrinsic resistance to apoptosis [16].…”

Endophytic Fungus Isolated From Achyrocline satureioides Exhibits Selective Antiglioma Activity—The Role of Sch-642305

“…Cells were kept at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO 2 . Astrocyte cultures were prepared as previously described by Da Frota et al ( 23 ). Briefly, cortex of newborn Wistar rats (1–3 days old) were removed and dissociated mechanically in Ca +2 and Mg +2 -free balanced salt solution (CMF) (pH 7.4) containing 137 mM NaCl, 5.36 mM KCl, 0.27 mM Na 2 HPO 4 , 1.1 mM KH 2 PO 4 , and 6.1 mM glucose.…”