Dose-Dependent Cytotoxicity of Purified Staphyloxanthin in HeLa Cervical Cancer Cells | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology | ||||
| Article 47, Volume 35, Issue 1, January 2026 | ||||
| Document Type: New and original researches in the field of Microbiology. | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejmm.2025.397234.1737 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Mohammed S. Hamza  ; Syoof K. Alwan
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| Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Staphyloxanthin (STX), a golden-yellow carotenoid pigment produced by Staphylococcus aureus, exhibits potential antibacterial and anticancer properties. Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety of pure STX on normal Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and its dose-dependent cytotoxicity against cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. Methodology: Twenty clinical S. aureus isolates were collected from patients (surgical scars, sinusitis, urinary tract infections) in Al-Diwaniya, Iraq. STX presence was confirmed phenotypically and molecularly (75% intense, 20% moderate, 5% pale pigment). STX was methanol-extracted and purified via preparative HPLC, yielding a single peak (3.05 min, with an absorbance of 1098.468 mAU at 450 nm). Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay on CHO and HeLa cells at concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 μg/mL (STX25-STX100). Antioxidant activity was measured via DPPH radical scavenging assay (sorbic acid control). Results: STX showed significant, dose-dependent cytotoxicity to HeLa cells (IC%: 5.98% STX25, 9.37% STX50, 20.52% STX75, 32.43% STX100; p<0.05 ANOVA) but negligible toxicity to CHO cells (IC%: 1.06% STX25, 1.38% STX50, 3.46% STX75, 4.66% STX100), demonstrating sevenfold cancer cell selectivity. Strong repeatability was observed (STDEV <0.033 HeLa, <0.031 CHO). Dose-response was linear for HeLa inhibition (R²=0.98); CHO viability remained >95%. Antioxidant activity was concentration-dependent (DPPH scavenging: 28.69% STX25, 52.51% STX100 vs. 100% sorbic acid). Conclusion: Findings confirm STX's specific anticancer and antioxidant potential, likely through cancer membrane disruption and oxidative stress induction. The substantial differential cytotoxicity (p<0.001) highlights its therapeutic index, endorsing microbial pigment repurposing as innovative anticancer medicines targeting pathogen virulence while utilizing bioactive qualities. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Staphylococcus aureus; Staphyloxanthin; HeLa cells; Cytotoxicity; MTT assay | ||||
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