Fisheries Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Iran
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main reasons for human mortality, and it develops by factors such as tobacco, poor nutrition, radiation, chemical agents, inherited mutations, and malfunction of tumor suppressor genes. Nowadays, functional and preventive approaches like targeted molecular therapy by synthetic drugs or natural and organic derived products could be helpful for cancer treatment. However, exploring new, safer and cheaper methods of treatment with natural origin has increased due to chemical adverse effects of drugs on intact tissues. In this regard, most studies have been focused on marine algae such as cyanobacteria, green and brown algae and dinoflagellates as promising and natural resources. Their initial and secondary metabolites including various polysaccharides, polyphenol or terpenes could inhibit mutant and cancer cell lines by inducing immune system, cell signaling and antioxidant activity, which result in apoptosis or cell death. In this respect, the present review has focused on different potent marine algae, produced metabolites, anticancer effects and related research in this field.
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