Abstract: Objective: The protective effect of Bangia fusco-purpurea polysaccharide (BFP) on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in human clone colon cancer cells (Caco-2 cells) was investigated in this study. Methods: The morphology of the oxidatively damaged cells was observed and antioxidant compound contents and antioxidant enzyme activities in the cell lysates were measured. Results: BFP significantly increased the viability of Caco-2 cells damaged by H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and glutathione level, inhibited the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), and repressed caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity to mitigate cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. Conclusion: BFP has a protective effect on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in Caco-2 cells in vitro. It can ameliorate H2O2-induced oxidative stress damage in Caco-2 cells by enhancing the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, increasing the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Key words: Bangia fusco-purpurea polysaccharide; Caco-2 cells; oxidative stress damage; cell apoptosis; protective effects