In Vitro Photodynamic Effect of Phycocyanin against Breast Cancer Cells.
C-phycocyanin, a natural blue-colored pigment-protein complex was explored as a novel photosensitizer for use in low-level laser therapy under 625-nm laser illumination. C-phycocyanin produced singlet oxygen radicals and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were raised in extended time of treatment. It did not exhibit any visible toxic effect in the absence of light. Under 625-nm laser irradiation, c-phycocyanin generated cytotoxic stress through ROS induction, which killed MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells depending on concentrations. Different fluorescent staining of laser-treated cells explored apoptotic cell death characteristics like the shrinking of cells, cytoplasmic condensation, nuclei cleavage, and the formation of apoptotic bodies. In conclusion, phycocyanin is a non-toxic fluorescent pigment that can be used in low-level light therapy.
Marine-Integrated Bionics Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea. sbrbtc@gmail.com.
Subramaniyan
S
Bharathiraja
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Marine-Integrated Biotechnology (BK21 Plus), Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea. biomed84@hanmail.net.
Hansu
H
Seo
Marine-Integrated Bionics Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea. manimaribtech@gmail.com.
Panchanathan
P
Manivasagan
Marine-Integrated Bionics Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea. santham83@gmail.com.
Madhappan
M
Santha Moorthy
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. tumbler77@gmail.com.
Suhyun
S
Park
Marine-Integrated Bionics Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea. jungoh@pknu.ac.kr.|Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Marine-Integrated Biotechnology (BK21 Plus), Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea. jungoh@pknu.ac.kr.
Jungwan
J
Oh
D017209:Apoptosis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010798:Phycocyanin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D010798:Phycocyanin
laser therapy; photodynamic therapy; phycocyanin; reactive oxygen species