The effect of Sargassum tenerrimum seaweed extracts on VEGF gene expression in SW742 colorectal cancer cell line

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers that causes many deaths worldwide. Efforts to find compounds with anti-cancer potential, especially from marine environments due to the richness of these environments in the field of organisms producing bioactive compounds, are among the topics of interest to researchers. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Sargassum tenerrimum seaweed extract on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene in colorectal cancer cells.

In the present study, three methanolic, chloroform and hydroalcoholic extracts of Sargassum tenerrimum seaweed from Persian Gulf were prepared and the effect of three concentrations 250, 500 and 750 mg/ml of each extract on VEGF expression was evaluated in SW742 cells of colorectal cancer using Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed using One Way ANOVA along with LSD test.

The results showed that hydroalcoholic extracts at concentrations of 500 and 750 mg/ml and chloroform and methanolic extracts at concentrations of 700 mg/ml caused a significant decrease in VEGF expression in SW742 cells (P <0.05).

These results indicate the anti-cancer potential of Sargassum tenerrimum extract by reducing VEGF expression and angiogenesis.