Analysis of the Effects of Sargassum tenerrimum Algal Extract on Interleukin-12 Gene Expression in Lymphoblastic Leukemia C121 Cells

Leukemia is the fifth most common cancer in the world. In addition to existing chemical drugs, attention has been paid to natural resources and their compounds for the treatment of various types of cancer. One of these sources are algae, which are rich in biologically active compounds with various functions. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to treat C121 cells with Sargassum tenerrimum extract obtained from the Persian Gulf.For this purpose, after sampling the algae from the shores of Bushehr, transferring them to the laboratory and morphological identification of the algae, extraction was performed using methanol, chloroform and hydro-alcohol solvents. C121 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and treated with concentrations of 250, 500 and 750 μg/ml Sargassum tenerrimum extract for 24 hours. After this time, RNA was extracted from the treated cells, and expression of the IL-12 gene was evaluated using Real Time PCR.The results showed that IL-12 gene expression increased in the presence of all concentrations in comparison to the control group. Concentrations of 500 μg/ml of chloroform and methanolic extracts had the greatest effect on increasing the expression of this gene.Considering the increased expression of IL-12 under the influence of Sargassum tenerrimum extract, it can be concluded that the extract of this alga has anti-cancer potential, which requires further research to find the active ingredient in the extract and also to better understand the mechanisms involved in its anti-cancer activity.

Analysis of the Effects of Sargassum tenerrimum Algal Extract on Interleukin-12 Gene Expression in Lymphoblastic Leukemia C121 Cells Keywords:

Algae , anti-cancer , gene expression , lymphoblastic leukemia