Bioactive Constituents and Potential Cytotoxic Activities of Green Microalgae: Desmodesmus spp. from a Jordanian Isolate

Introduction/Objectives: Conventional anticancer agents have numerous limitations, and developing innovative agents to treat cancer places a heavy burden on the global health economy. The current study aims to explore sustainable and alternative sources for cancer therapy. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the phytoconstituents and biologically active compounds in green microalgae and to explore their potential cytotoxicity. results: The obtained results revealed the content of several biologically active compounds in the algal aqueous extract, such as fatty acids, amino acids, nucleic acids, terpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenols such as scopoletin, gingerol, and tanacetol. The MTT assays revealed a biocompatibility of the natural remedy with the normal cell line HUVEC, and a dose-related response patterns were observed against cancerous pancreatic and prostatic adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods: Algae were isolated from a Jordanian aquatic region, purified, and identified based on the 18S rRNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA markers. The lyophilized biomass was extracted by maceration and ultrasonication-assisted shaking, and then the phytoconstituents were identified via HPLC/MS-MS. Cytotoxicity and cell viability assays were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the algal crude extract against normal Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cell line EA (HUVEC; cat. no. CRL-1730; ATCC), grade IV Prostatic Adenocarcinoma cell line PC3 (CRL-1435), and Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma cell line (PANC1, CRL-1469). Results: The results revealed the presence of several biologically active compounds in the algal aqueous extract, such as fatty acids, amino acids, nucleic acids, terpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenols such as scopoletin, gingerol, and tanacetol. The MTT assays revealed a biocompatibility of the natural remedy with the normal cell line HUVEC, and a dose-related response pattern was observed against cancerous Pancreatic and Prostatic Adenocarcinoma cell lines. The computed IC50 for Pancreatic, Prostatic, and Normal Epithelial cells was 47.7, 56.3, and 217.5 mg/mL, respectively. conclusion: Bioactive constituents from aquatic green microalgae are considered potential and sustainable sources for novel and effective cancer treatment agents. Discussion: The richness of bioactive compounds that are classified into diverse secondary metabolite families indicates their potential biological and pharmacological activities. The MTT assay results indicate selective cytotoxicity of the extract against Prostatic and Pancreatic cancer cell lines, with the latter showing more sensitivity to the treatment. The high IC50 values of the normal epithelial cell line express its resistance; therefore, the treatment is biocompatible. Conclusion: Green microalgae, with their bioactive components, could be a promising approach for a sustainable, innovative therapy for Prostatic and Pancreatic cancers; further, advanced research is highly recommended.