Open AccessPolysaccharides isolated from Bangia fuscopurpurea induce apoptosis and autophagy in human ovarian cancer A2780 cells
Author(s) -
Wu Jingna,
Lin Changhong,
Chen Xiaoting,
Pan Nan,
Liu Zhiyu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
food science and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.614
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 2048-7177
DOI - 10.1002/fsn3.2621
Subject(s) - autophagy , apoptosis , biology , flow cytometry , ovarian cancer , reactive oxygen species , cancer cell , western blot , metastasis , cancer research , cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Although ovarian cancer is common, its prognosis remains poor because of drug resistance and early metastasis. Polysaccharides extracted from Bangia fuscopurpurea (BFP) are potential anti‐cancer agents, but the mechanisms underlying their effects in human ovarian cancer remain unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of action of BFP polysaccharides in A2780 ovarian cancer cells using cell migration, invasion, apoptosis, and autophagy assays. Transwell assays indicated that BFP inhibited cell migration and invasion. Flow cytometry analysis showed that BFP treatment induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production, while significantly reducing mitochondrial membrane potential. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses revealed changes in the expression of apoptosis‐ and autophagy‐related cellular mRNAs and proteins, respectively, following BFP treatment for 24 h. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that BFP induced autophagy in A2780 cells. These findings demonstrate that BFP may be useful for developing functional foods for cancer therapy.