1Anti-Proliferation Activity of Fucoidan in MKN45 Gastric Cancer Cells and Downregulation of Phosphorylated ASK1, a Cell Cycle-Regulated Kinase

Background Fucoidan is a high-molecular polysac-charide whose main constituent is sulfated fucose. We specifically focused on the anti-proliferation activity of fucoidan and examined the underlying mechanism in MKN45 gastric cancer cells. Methods MKN45 cell proliferation was analyzed by BrdU assay and fucoidan cytotoxicity was examined by LDH and clonogenic assays. The Agilent Human micro-array kit was used to identify upregulated and downreg-ulated genes in response to fucoidan, and western blot analyses evaluated cell cycle proteins. Results Fucoidan impeded the MKN45 cell cycle by approximately 50%, and inhibited cell prolifera-tion. LDH assays showed no immediate cytotoxic ef