Toxicity Effect of Hypnea flagelliformis Algae on Cancerous Mitochondria Obtained from Rat Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is recognized as one of the major public health problems and deadly malignancies worldwide. Today, the use of compounds of natural origin in the treatment of cancer and other diseases has been of interest to researchers. Marine compounds such as algae have anti-cancer effects. In addition, Sea algae have nutritional value. This research is designed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of Hypnea flagelliformis (H. flagelliformis) extracts (methanolic, diethyl ether and n-hexane) on HCC mitochondria. MATERIAL AND METHOD: HCC was induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in rats. Then, toxicity parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that all H. flagelliformis extracts (250, 500 and 1000 µg/ml) significantly caused toxicity in HCC mitochondria, and no effect on healthy mitochondria was reported. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the use of H. flagelliformis along with selected drugs in the treatment of HCC can help in the treatment of this cancer.