Investigation of the cytotoxic activity of astaxanthin on glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma is well known among cancer cells to be one of the most formidable and highly proliferative forms of brain tumors. Despite the fact that there are numerous significant milestones in treatment that include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, its rapid progression , invasive nature and resistance to conventional therapies characteristics make it difficult to manage the spread of this disease and to enhance the several rates in total. In other words, glioblastoma is thought to have a very complex cellular and molecular heterogeneity coupled with highly infiltrative nature and ability to control immune system mechanisms which present obstacles in achieving suitable treatment approaches. Astaxanthin (ASX) has received much attention for its anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. However, the studies that explore the cytotoxic effects of ASX on glioblastoma cells remain poor. To address this gab, this study aims to investigate the cytotoxic potential of ASX against glioblastoma cells as a standalone treatment and in combination with the chemotherapeutic drug Etoposide. In order to perform this , a series of in vitro experiments that include cell viability tests, colony formation assays, and molecular analyses was done. Additionally, it was examined whether combining ASX with Etoposide enhances the cytotoxic effects against these cancer cell lines. Furthermore, this research further study the antimicrobial properties of ASX to expand our understanding of its potential applications as relatively few studies were conducted in this area. The findings of this study indicated dose-dependent reductions in cell viability with ASX, etoposide, and their combination, supported by IC50 assessments. ASX and etoposide also prevented clonogenic potential and caused morphological changes in U87MG cells, while downregulating survivin and c-Myc and upregulating Caspase-3 expression, indicating potent apoptotic effects. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of ASX against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, was demonstrated suggesting further studies into its antimicrobial effectiveness and mechanisms of action. Overall, this thesis offers new perspective in the use of ASX in treating glioblastoma, highlighting its therapeutic potential importance as a natural substance with promising anticancer properties.