Unveiling the anti-glioma potential of a marine derivative, Fucoidan: its synergistic cytotoxicity with Temozolomide-an in vitro and in silico experimental study

Introduction Glioma, coined as a “butterfly” tumor associated with a dismal prognosis. Marine algal compounds with the richest sources of bioactive components, act as significant anti-tumor therapeutics. However, there is a paucity of studies conducted on Fucoidan to enhance the anti-glioma efficacy of Temozolomide. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the synergistic anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects of Fucoidan with Temozolomide in in vitro and in silico experimental setup. Methodology The anti-proliferative effects of Temozolomide and Fucoidan was evaluated on C6 glioma cells by MTT and migration assay. Modulation of inflammatory markers and apoptosis induction was affirmed at the morphological and transcriptional level, by dual staining and gene expression. Molecular docking (MD) and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) studies were performed against the targets to rationalize the inhibitory effect. Results The dual-drug combination significantly reduced the cell viability and migration of glioma cells in a synergistic dose-dependent manner. At the molecular level, the dual-drug combination significantly down-regulated inflammatory genes with a concomitant upregulation of pro-apoptotic marker. In consensus with our in vitro findings, molecular docking and simulation studies revealed that the anti-tumor ligands: Temozolomide, Fucoidan with 5-(3-Methy1-trizeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (MTIC), and 4-amino-5-imidazole-carboxamide (AIC) had the potency to bind to the inflammatory proteins at their active sites, mediated by H-bonds and other non-covalent interactions. Discussion and Conclusion The dual-drug combinatorial treatment synergistically inhibited the proliferation, migration of glioma cells and promoted apoptosis; conversely with the down-regulation of inflammatory genes. However, pre-clinical experimental evidence is warranted for the possible translation of this combination.