Monitoring cellular human breast adenocarcinoma cells’ response to xanthophylls by label-free Raman spectroscopy and imaging

For years, xanthophylls have been recognized for their potential in medicine. Evidence supports the role of diets rich in algae, fruits, and vegetables in preventing cancer. Due to the complexity of the human body, numerous mechanisms could explain the health benefits of xanthophylls. Various studies have explored their effects on specific diseases. However, the impact of certain xanthophylls, such as crocetin, crocin, and fucoxanthin, on aggressive breast cancer remains unclear. To address this, we examined their effects on human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231 cells) using Raman spectroscopy and imaging. Our findings revealed that crocetin enhances cancer cell viability by increasing lipid and protein levels, suggesting it does not directly inhibit tumour growth. Crocin redirected cellular metabolism towards lipid accumulation, shown by increased Raman signals at 1444 cm⁻¹ in lipid droplets/endoplasmic reticulum. Fucoxanthin demonstrated the greatest potential, reducing lipid and protein levels (Raman bands at 1254, 1444, 1654 cm⁻¹), thereby inhibiting adenocarcinoma progression.