Abstract

This study attempts to screen the potential chemotherapeutic agent from 3 seaweeds with methanol and tested against hepatocellular carcinoma cells Hep3B and normal cell line Vero. Using MTT assay, these compounds were checked for their cytotoxicity at six different concentrations. The study exhibited the cell viability percentage to be decreased with increase in concentration, as signified by cell death. Sargassum wightii extract shows potential cytotoxic activity with CTC50 of 10 µg/ml and 180 µg/ml against Vero cells and Hep3B respectively. The methanol fraction led to shrinkage of cell, plasma membrane damage and apoptotic bodies’ formation showing bioactive components as profound influencing factors for anticancer effects. Further research has to be done in the purification of methanol extract to identify the potent therapeutic tool against liver cancer.

Key words: Cancer, Seaweeds, Sargassum wightii, Cytotoxicity, MTT assay