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Background: Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) is a filamentous and photosynthetic microalgae that contains 25 kinds of vitamins and minerals and bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and polyphenols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of ethanolic extract of S. platensis. Materials and Methods: The polyphenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of S. platensis was evaluated by Folin-Ciocâlteu reagent, chloride aluminum method, and CUPRAC, respectively. The cytotoxicity of extract on HCT116 and SW742 colorectal cancer cells was determined using an MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 h treatment with various concentrations of S. platensis extract (0-1000 μg/ml). Results: The ethanolic extract of S. platensis showed an antioxidant activity of 53/7±6/63 mg of Ascorbic acid/g dried sample and was characterized with a high level of polyphenolic and flavonoid content. A dose and time dependent decrease in the viability of HCT116 and SW742 cells was detected following exposure to the extract. After 72 h treatment, IC50 value of HCT116 and SW742 cell lines was obtained as 14/79±0/33 µg/ml and 13/26±1/52 µg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the ethanolic extract of S. platensis decreases colorectal cancer cell viability significantly. Therefore, this extract can be a candidate for producing anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Sargassum boveanum is a plant species of brown algae that is widely found in the Persian Gulf. The present study investigated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Sargassum boveanum in colorectal cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Sargassum boveanum was collected from the Persian Gulf in Bushehr province. The hydroalcoholic extract of this plant was extracted by maceration in ethanol 70%. The concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of the hydroalcoholic extract (ethanol 70%) were assessed by folin ciocalteu, aluminum chloride and CUPRAC methods, respectively. Afterwards, the cytotoxicity effect of this extract was investigated in two colorectal cancer cell lines (SW742 and HCT116) and normal cells (fibroblasts) at 24, 48 and 72 hours post-treatment by the MTT method. Results: The studied hydroalcoholic extract contains significant amounts of polyphenol (36.79 ± 0.66 mg GAE/g dwt), flavonoid (194.66±2.5 QE/g dwt) and antioxidant capacity (526.99 ± 9.16 mg AA/g dwt). The hydroalcoholic extract gradually inhibited cell growth in the SW742, HCT116 and fibroblast cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our results showed that sargassum boveanum hydroalcoholic extract may have considerable potential for development as a novel, natural product-based, anticancer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]