Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, following lung and breast cancer. In Indonesia, a study released in 2020 showed that deaths from colorectal cancer (234,511 cases) rank fourth highest among cancer-related deaths. Therefore, the prevention of colorectal cancer needs serious attention.
One of Indonesia’s marine biodiversity resources that has the potential to be developed as a supplement to prevent colorectal cancer is green algae (Chlorella vulgaris). Chlorella vulgaris is a microalga from the green algae group often cultivated for various pharmaceutical purposes, such as supplements and cosmetics.
A study published in 2023 indicated that green algae extract has cancer-inhibitory potential through apoptosis mechanisms. However, other studies suggest that the observed effects must be studied more deeply.
To this end, five UGM students, Umar Surya Kusuma Atmaja (Medicine), Indira Aulia Rahma (Pharmacy), Rifai Miftach Fauzan (Nursing), Clarasakti Suryani Gollu (Chemistry), and Vemi Rahmayani (Chemistry), formed a research group under the 2024 Student Creativity Program in Exact Science Research (PKM-RE).
Under the guidance of Dr. Arko Jatmiko Wicaksono and Dr. Pamungkas Bagus Satriyo from the Center for Herbal Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), they are intensively identifying the active compounds in green algae using advanced methods such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), tracking antioxidant activity, and conducting confirmation tests through in silico experiments.
“This research aims to understand the potential activity of the compounds found in green algae against protein targets in colorectal cancer,” explained Umar Atmaja, the team leader, on Thursday (Jul. 18). Additionally, from a production standpoint, the cultivation of green algae has already begun in 26 provinces in Indonesia.
“This means that if this research succeeds, the demand for the raw material supply of green algae can be met domestically,” Atmaja added. This aligns with the spirit of realizing national health resilience through the self-sufficiency of pharmaceutical raw materials.
Although still in its early stages, this research has the potential to play an essential role as a foundation for the development of science for future therapeutic purposes.
Author: UGM Green Algae Team
Editor: Leony