Immunomodulatory and Antiproliferative Effects of Cucumaria frondosa Against Murine Melanoma Cell Line B16-F10 In-Vitro

Luna Wahab, Purdue University

Abstract

Melanoma cell cancer (MCC) is one of the most common skin cancers and one of the leading causes of death in the United States. This skin cancer undergoes distant metastasis to the vital organs if not treated at an early stage. Current treatment options available for MCC have failed to halt the spread of this cancer. Patients are left with the stigma of post-surgery scars and the toxic effects of the radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. In this research, the possibility of using a natural product, sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa (C. frondosa) with important bioactive components was considered as a preventive therapeutic option against MCC. This echinoderm is believed to have medicinal properties that contains various bioactive components, including monosulfated triterpenoid glycoside Frondoside A; the disulfated glycoside Frondoside B; the trisulfated glycoside Frondoside C; 12-methyltetradecanoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; and fucosylated chondroitin sulfate. The effectiveness of derivatives of C. frondosa including fluid present in the coelomic cavity, different preparation of extracts from fresh specimens, and commercial extracts were studied in these research. These materials were tested on spleen cell proliferation, phagocytic activity of macrophages, and growth of the murine melanoma cell line, B16-F10. The C. frondosa extract was found to have an immunostimulatory effect by inducing proliferation of mice spleen cells (p>0.05) and the stimulation of macrophage phagocytosis (p>0.05). Most importantly, the extracts of C. frondosa were shown to have the potential of inhibiting the growth of MCC (p<0.05) compared to their control counterparts. In future, this marine invertebrate may be recognized as a potential nontoxic and natural source for preventing MCC progression and may play a promising role in reducing mortality and morbidity of melanoma.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Blumenthal, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Biology|Medicine

Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server
.

Share

COinS