A natural anticancer pigment,Pheophytin a,from a seagrass acts as a high affinity human mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) ligand, in silico, to reduce mitochondrial membrane Potential (∆ψmit) in adenocarcinomic A549 cells.

ConclusionHence Pheophytin a could be seen as a possible TSPO ligand for targeting metastatic alveolar cancers like A549 via intrinsic apoptotic pathway.General significanceGiven the inherent non-toxic nature of the compound and easy extractability from almost all autotrophic eukaryotes, one could be confident to testing in animal models.Graphical abstract
Source: Phytomedicine - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research