In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Seaweeds from Karachi Coast on Brine Shrimp

Marine algal community signifies a huge source of compound endowed with ingenious structure and potential biological activities. Cytotoxicity of plant or fungal material is considered as the presence of antitumor compounds. In this study, ethanol extracts of seaweeds Dictyota dichotoma var. velutricata, D. hauckiana, D. indica, Iyengaria stellata, Jolyna laminarioides, Melanothamnus afaqhusainii, Sargassum ilicifolium, S. lanceolatum and Ulva fasciata occurring at Karachi coast were screened for the cytotoxic activity using brine shrimp lethality for larvae (nauplii). Out of 9 seaweeds tested, ethanol extract of eight species showed significant cytotoxicity (LC50 <1000μg) on brine shrimp. Dictyota indica showed highest cytotoxic activity (LC50 =143μg).