Effect of oil extract from microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.) on the viability and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells

Background: Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor type that starts in bone and occurs most frequently in adolescents. Traditional techniques are insufficient, especially for metastatic ones. As al-ternative treatment techniques, natural products are worthy of examining due to being safe and innova-tive. Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have various positive effects on human health and growth. In addition, some PUFAs show anti-cancer activity by inducing apoptosis, specifically in cancer cells. Objective: Here, the study aims to investigate the time and dose-dependent effects of oil extract from Schizochytrium sp. against the osteosarcoma cell line. Materials and Methods: Human Fetal Osteoblast Cells (hFOB) and osteosarcoma cells (SAOS-2) were treated with different concentrations of fatty acid samples. GC-FID was performed for fatty acid composition analysis of Schizochytrium sp. MTT-cell viability and Annexin V-apoptosis assays were performed to investigate the time and dose-dependent effects of the samples on cell lines. Results: The oil extract sample has a specific activity against the SAOS-2 cancer line and decreases cell proliferation, especially at high dose treatments. Apoptosis assay results indicate that the oil extract sample causes a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the SAOS-2 cell line (71.7% of SAOS-2 cells), which shows its selective activity against bone cancer cell line as a natural anti-cancer molecule. Conclusion: It was observed that Schizochytrium sp. extract has a time and dose-dependent ability to induce apoptosis, specifically in SAOS-2 cells.