Cytotoxic Effect of a Crude Extract of Halichondria panicea (Porifera: Demospongiae) from the White Sea on Mouse 3T3 Balb Cells

Sea sponges produce a number of biologically active molecules, including antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and other agents. The effect of the water-soluble fraction of the sponge extract from Halichondria panicea on various characteristics of Balb3T3 cells was evaluated. Dose-dependent cell morphology changes and the formation of micronuclei-like structures were revealed, but no induced specific changes in the cytoskeleton were detected. The extract had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and migration. The cytotoxicity of the extract was confirmed by MTT-test and by the proliferative activity test using a CyQUANT Direct Cell Proliferation Assay Kit. Cells grown at lower density were more sensitive to H. panicea extract than cells grown at higher density. Cell analysis with the ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit showed that H. panicea crude extract could induce cell apoptosis. The data obtained suggest a complex effect of the components of the extract on various sides of cellular metabolism.