Objective: To prescreen the in vivo antiproliferative activity of the marine green alga Ulva lactuca Family Ulvaceae using the eukaryotic model organism Dictyostelium discoideum. Method: In the present study to investigate the effect of ulvan which was isolated from Ulva lactuca marine green alga was selected for phytochemical and antiproliferative activity. Antiproliferative activity was determined by inhibition of cell growth using Dictyostelium discoideum as a eukaryotic model organism.

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... t: Preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract of Ulva lactuca(EEUL) showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, sterols, saponins, tannins, proteins and amino acids, mucilage, flavonoids and absence of volatile oil, fixed oils. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were found to be 13.678±1.6mg/ml and 1.25±0.06mg/ml respectively. Percentage of yield of ulvan obtained was 10% and its UV, IR spectral studies were performed. Total uronic acid was found to be 18.8%w/w. The antiproliferative assay using the eukaryotic model organism Dictyostelium discoideum showed that the ulvan is a good inhibitor of cell growth. The inhibition of cell growth by ulvan 4,5,6 μg/ml were found to be 23,19,15X104 cells/ml on 4 th day. Conclusion: Ulva lactuca have been used in medicine due to various biological activities and as a food. This study indicates that the ulvan possesses potential anti mitotic and anti proliferative activity. The presence of ulvan and the attributed reported anti-oxidant activity appears to contribute to its activity. Further investigation requires to confirm this activity.