Antioxidant, Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Secondary Metabolites of Halotolerant Aspergillus terreus on Colon Adenocarcinoma Caco-2 Cells

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer effects of the secondary metabolites of halotolerant Aspergillus terreus-2 (hAt-2) on colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells. The hAt-2 was isolated from Lake Tuz in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Ethyl acetate extract was prepared from the isolate of hAt-2 culture medium. The free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. The phenolic acids of the extract were evaluated using the high-performance liquid chromatography method. The cytotoxic effect of the extract was evaluated using 4-[3( 4-iodo-phenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5 tetrazolio]-1,3-benzene disulfonate assay. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the real-time cell analysis system (RTCA-DP). Results: The major phenolic acid in the hAt-2 extract was protocatechuic acid. The hAt-2 extract exhibited significant antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on Caco-2 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 value of the extract was detected as 1859 mu g mL(-1) at 72 h using the RTCA-DP system. Conclusion: The present study suggested that the hAt-2 extract has antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptotic properties to act as an anti-cancer agent on Caco-2 cells.