BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF A NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDE BLEND: FROM ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY IN EARTHWORMS TO CYTOTOXICITY IN BREAST CANCER CELLS

The present study evaluates the anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities of a polysaccharide blend (OP-ASP), composed of Okra polysaccharide (OP) and Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) in a 1:1 ratio, against Pheretima posthuma earthworms and human cancer cell lines (MCF7, HepG2, and A549). The anthelmintic activity of OP-ASP was assessed using an in vitro assay, comparing its effects with Albendazole, a standard anthelmintic drug. The results demonstrated a dose-dependent response, with OP-ASP showing significant paralysis and death times comparable to Albendazole at higher concentrations. The MTT test was utilised to assess the cytotoxicity of OP-ASP in MCF7 (breast cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer), and A549 (lung cancer) cells. All three cancer cell lines showed a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability, according to the results. The IC₅₀ values were 125.77 μg/mL (MCF7), 132.89 μg/mL (HepG2), and 135.42 μg/mL (A549), indicating that MCF7 cells were the most sensitive, followed by HepG2, with A549 being the least responsive. OP-ASP exhibited comparable cytotoxicity to Doxorubicin at higher concentrations, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent. These findings indicate that OP-ASP possesses potent anthelmintic and anticancer properties, highlighting its potential as a natural alternative to conventional treatments. Further mechanistic studies and in vivo evaluations are warranted to explore its therapeutic applications.
Keywords: Earthworms, Pherotima posthuma, Albendazole, Cytotoxicity, anthelmintic activity, MTT assay