Effect of fucoidan on human leukaemia tumor cell line K562 apoptosis

  Objective   To study anti-tumor mechanism of fucoidan on human leukaemia tumor line K562.

  Methods   The human leukaemia tumor cell lines were cultured in vitro. The effect of fucoidan to K562 was investigated by the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), DNA ladder and FACS techniques after treated by water extract or ethanol extract from Laminaria japonica Aresch with doses of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mg/ml.

  Results   Experimental study of MTT was used to determine the antitumor effects of fucoidan on inducing apoptosis of tumor cell, the dose of 1 mg/ml was remarkable. SCGE was used to detect the breakage of DNA strand and analyze damage of fucoidan to tumor cell. The result showed the damage was evident. The DNA ladder and FACS techniques showed the incidence rates of apoptosis were remarkably increased after treated 24 hours by fucoidan. The dose of 1 mg/ml increased significantly.

  Conclusion   The anti-tumor effect of fucoidan was evident, and its mechanisms was probably involved the apoptosis of tumor cell which induced by fucoidan.