Antitumour Potential of Gigartina pistillata Carrageenans against Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell-Enriched Tumourspheres

Abstract

<i>Gigartina pistillata</i> is a red seaweed common in Figueira da Foz, Portugal. Here, the antitumour potential of <i>G. pistillata</i> carrageenan, with a known variable of the life cycle, the female gametophyte (FG) and tetrasporophyte (T) was evaluated against colorectal cancer stem cell (CSC) -enriched tumourspheres. FTIR-ATR analysis of <i>G. pistillata</i> carrageenan extracts indicated differences between life cycle phases, being FG a κ/ι hybrid carrageenan and T a ʎ/ξ hybrid. Both carrageenan extracts presented IC₅₀ values inferior to 1 μg/mL in HT29-derived CSC-enriched tumourspheres, as well as reduced tumoursphere area. The two extracts were also effective at reducing cellular viability in SW620- and SW480-derived tumourspheres. These results indicate that carrageenans extracted from two <i>G. pistillata</i> life cycle phases have antitumour potential against colorectal cancer stem-like cells, specially the T carrageenan.