In vitro evaluation and comprehensive metabolomic of Nannochloropsis oculata extracts: bioactive compounds and apoptotic mechanisms against breast cancer cells

The trends towards natural-based products as therapeutic options for breast cancer make microalgae, such as Nannochloropsis oculata, an interesting source. This study examines the bioactivity of this microalga related to its breast cancer activity and predicts the mechanism through the non-targeted profiling of its bioactive compound using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry. This microalga contains chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenols and flavonoids. These compounds were putatively related to their antioxidant activity against free radicals and cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines. Exposure to a low concentration (25 µg/mL) for 72 h induced a higher proportion of apoptotic cells than treatments with higher concentrations. The metabolic profiling revealed diverse unreported metabolites with potential anti-cancer and cosmeceutical relevance. In silico screening of the metabolite activity against breast cancer through G-protein coupled oestrogen receptor showed screened compounds exhibited breast cancer inhibition, namely 1-linoleyl glycerol, decanamide and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl 12-methyldecanoate.