Pharmacognosy and In-vivo anticancer potential of an indigenous marine macroalga, Ulvafasciata Delile from Visakhapatnam coast, India

Ulva fasciataDelile, a marine macroalga is abundantly available on the intertidal rocky surface of Visakhapatnam coasts, India, during summer. The algae belong to family Ulvaceae and division Chlorophyta is glossy green in color. Being a prolific source of bioactive compounds, this thallus allured an unprecedented concern of the author to study its anatomy, histo-chemistry and in-vivo anticancer property. Primarily, the morpho-anatomy and histo-chemistry of the thallus were studied to identify correct species and locate the active phytoconstituents in the cell saps. Besides, the in-vivo anticancer activity of the methanolic algal extract (MAE) was studied on Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) xenografted mice. The light microscopy of the thallus divulged very thick cuticularized layers in the sectional view. A fat middle lamella was observed in between two layers of vertically oblong palisade cells. The histo-chemistry revealed the presence of starch grains, calcium oxalate crystals, tannin, protein,and lipids as major cell inclusions. The extract exhibited a profound inhibitory activity on EAC xenografted mice (p(<)0.001). Increase in mean survival time (p(<)0.001) and restoration of the hematological parameter in drug-treated rodents were clear indicators of anticancer potential of the MAE. It was espoused by the results garnered from various parameters like reduced ascites tumor volume, declined peritoneal cavity size, the percentage increase in life span (%ILS), declined cell viability andperitoneal angiogenesis, and the improved result obtained from histopathology of vital organs.