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Cytotoxicity of the Crude Extracts from Giant Deep-Sea Worm Riftia pachyptila Against Human Glioblastoma Cells

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Hydrothermal vent communities are a source of bioactive compounds; some of these could be a potential anticancer therapy. Riftia pachyptila is a marine invertebrate endemic to hydrothermal vents. The dichloromethane–methanol (1:1) extracts were obtained from the wall (Pa), the trophosome (Tr), and the tube (Tu) of R. pachyptila. The cytotoxic effect of extracts was evaluated on human glioblastoma cell lines U373 and U87 and fibroblast BJ1 cell line by MTT and trypan blue assays. To detect DNA apoptotic fragmentation and tumoral p53 expression by Pa, the TUNEL and immunofluorescence assays were performed, respectively. The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The Pa extract produced the most cytotoxicity on U87 and U373 cells, but not on BJ1 cells; furthermore, Pa extract produced apoptosis and cytosolic p53 stabilization. The chemical profile of extracts showed thirty-four natural compounds. This study identifies R. pachyptila extracts as potential source of drugs for glioblastoma.

Source: Scientia Pharmaceutica

DOI: 10.3390/scipharm94040094