Anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects of Dunaliella salina on human KB oral carcinoma cells

This study was aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and proapoptotic effects of Dunaliella salina (DS) on KB human oral squamous carcinoma cells. Phytochemical analysis of DS by HPLC revealed the presence of different types of carotenoids like -carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and higher contents of all trans--carotene and 9-cis--carotene. Antioxidative indexes like reducing capacity, chelating activity, DPPH and superoxide anion scavenging activities were significantly enhanced by treating with DS in dose-depended fashion. Whereas, the in vitro studies with KB cell line showed antiproliferative/cytotoxic effects of DS by suppressing the KB cell count. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory property of DS was confirmed by downregulating the protein expression of COX-2 in DS treated group. Also, DS extract would trigger apoptosis of KB cell in a dose-depended manner. Based on the above results, it clearly displays its anticarcinogenic efficacy, however, further studies are needed to explore the in-depth mechanism behind its chemotherapeutic property. Practical applicationsDS is a type of microalgae found in salty lakes and considered as the richest source of -carotene than any other plant-based products. DS exhibit various biological properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and therefore used as a nutraceutical agent by several pharmaceutical companies. Also, DS has been utilized by the tradition medicine practitioners in Asian countries like China, and Japan to treat various ailments like wound healing, vomiting, and ulcer. Modern researchers also hinted that DS are effective against many metabolic syndromes as well as several types of cancer. However, till date, no studies exist on the anticancer effect of DS (carotenoids) related to oral cancer. The present study indicates that DS could exert antioxidative, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and proapoptotic effects and thus endorse its anticarcinogenic effect. Hence, in future, it might be used for treating oral cancer as an adjuvant therapy along with standard chemotherapeutic agents.