Anti-tumour effects of elatol, a marine derivative compound obtained from red algae Laurencia microcladia.

Objectives: This paper aims to evaluate the anti-tumour properties of elatol, a compound (sesquiterpene) isolated from algae Laurencia microcladia.

Methods: In-vitro and in-vivo anti-tumour properties of elatol were investigated using: MTT assays to assess the cytotoxic effects; flow cytometry analysis to examine the cell cycle and apoptosis; Western blot analysis for determination of the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis proteins; and study of in-vivo tumour growth in mice (C57Bl6 mice bearing B16F10 cells).

Key Findings: Elatol exhibited a cytotoxic effect, at least in part, by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G(1) and the sub-G(1) phases, leading cells to apoptosis.