Inhibition of tumor growth in vitro and in vivo by fucoxanthin against melanoma B16F10 cells

The present study was designed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of fucoxanthin against melanoma cell lines (B16F10 cells). Fucoxanthin reduced the proliferation of B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by the induction of cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis. Fucoxanthin-induced G0/G1 arrest was associated with a marked decrease in the protein expressions of phosphorylated-Rb (retinoblastoma protein), cyclin D (1 and 2) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and up-regulation of the protein levels of p15INK4B and p27Kip1. Fucoxanthin-induced apoptosis was accompanied with the down-regulation of the protein levels of Bcl-xL, an inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), resulting in a sequential activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP. Furthermore, the anti-tumor effect of fucoxanthin was assessed in vivo in Balb/c mice. Intraperitoneal administration of fucoxanthin significantly inhibited the growth of tumor mass in B16F10 cells implanted mice.

► Inhibitory effect of fucoxanthin on the proliferation of melanoma cell lines (B16F10 cells).
► The G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were induced by fucoxanthin.
► Cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase was associated with upregulating the level of p16INK4A and p27Kip1.
► Fucoxanthin induced apoptosis by inhibition of Bcl-xL.
► Fucoxanthin suppressed in vivo growth of melanoma in Balb/c mice.