In vitro evaluation of the anticancer potential of betulin, isolated from the seaweed Sargassum ilicifolium, against Hep-2, THP-1 and HeLa cell lines

The natural compound betulin has been extensively explored for its potential application as an anticancer agent in recent years. Presently, the betulin compound was isolated from the brown seaweed, Sargassum ilicifolium. And further it was characterized through FT-IR, C-13 NMR, H-1 NMR, HPLC and ESI-MS analyses. Betulin alkane functional groups were identified by using FT-IR. Protons and their positions were confirmed by using H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra. Betulin has 15.59 % higher antioxidant contents with IC50 value of >320 mu g/mL. And also betulin has exhibited 76 %, 66.36 % (of viability) cytotoxicity respectively against the Hep-2 and THP-1 cancer cell lines. Amongst them, betulin has caused 67.25 % death in cervical cancer cell line with the highest cytotoxic percentage of 32.75 and IC50 value of the betulin compound against the HeLa cell line was 31.32 mu g/mL. Thus the betulin could form a potential source of anticancer agent. Presently, the betulin compound revealed high antioxidant capability with potential cytotoxic effect against cancer cell line. Present investigation showed the good antioxidant potential of the algal-betulin as well as the anticancer capacity especially against the HeLa cell line. Hence, further research is essential on this compound towards possible anticervical cancer-drug development.

Automated summary

Betulin, a natural compound with potential antioxidant and anticancer properties, was isolated from brown seaweed in this study. It was characterized using various analytical techniques and shown to exhibit cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines.