Anti-inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activities of Sea Cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) Extract in Colorectal Cancer Cell Line

Background: Sea cucumbers possess a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. Aims: The objective of the present study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of the Persian Gulf sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) through inhibiting the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colorectal cancer cell line SW742. Methods: The methanolic extracts of the body wall, body fluid, and internal viscera of H. leucospilota were prepared, and their cytotoxicity was assessed. Moreover, the cell line was further cultured to extract their mRNA in order to, measure the expression of COX-2 and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by Real-Time PCR, and to determine the production of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and VEGF by ELISA. Findings: The body-wall extract significantly downregulated the expression of COX-2 and VEGF and reduced the level of PGE2 and VEGF production, whereas body fluid and the viscera extract revealed no effect. Conclusion: the outcomes suggest that the body-wall could be useful in food and pharmaceutical industries to prevent inflammation and the colorectal cancer as well.