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Potent Anticancer Effects of Bioactive Mushroom Extracts (Phellinus linteus) on a Variety of Human Cancer Cells
Sensuke Konno1, Kevin Chu1, Nicholas Feuer1
1Department of Urology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.
Background:
Although several therapeutic options are currently available for patients with various cancers, the outcomes are often disappointing and a more effective modality needs to be promptly established. We have been exploring an alternative approach using natural agents and two bioactive mushroom extracts isolated from Phellinus linteus (PL), namely PL-ES and PL-I-ES, were of our interest. As anticancer effects of similar extracts have been reported in several cancers, we investigated whether PL-ES and PL-I-ES might have such anticancer activities on a variety of human cancer cells in vitro.
Methods:
Ten different types of human cancer cell lines, including three metastatic prostate, bladder, kidney, lung, breast, stomach, liver, and brain cancer cells, were employed and tested with PL-ES or PL-I-ES. Cell growth/viability, exertion of oxidative stress, and induction of apoptosis were assessed by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay, lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay, and specific enzymatic assay, respectively.
Results:
PL-ES (100 µg/mL) exhibited potent anticancer activity, resulting in a significant (40-80%) growth reduction in all 10 cancer cells at 72 hours. PL-I-ES (100 µg/mL) was effective on only four cancer cells but its higher concentration at 250 µg/mL led to a significant (25-90%) growth reduction in seven cancer cells. LPO assays indicated that such a significant growth reduction by PL-ES (100 µg/mL) or PL-I-ES (100 or 250 µg/mL) could result from cell death due to a cytotoxic effect of oxidative stress (through free radicals). Moreover, enzymatic assays for caspase-3 (Csp-3) and caspase-9 (Csp-9), the pro-apoptotic regulators, showed that both enzymes were significantly activated by PL-ES or PL-I-ES, indicating that cell death due to oxidative stress was more likely associated with apoptosis.
Conclusions:
The present study shows that both PL-ES and PL-I-ES indeed have anticancer effects on a variety of cancer cells, although PL-ES appears to be more potent than PL-I-ES. Such an anticancer effect is presumably attributed to oxidative stress, which will ultimately lead to apoptosis. Therefore, these two bioactive mushroom extracts may have clinical implications in a more effective therapeutic option for a variety of human malignancies.
Insights
Bioactive mushroom extracts from Phellinus linteus, PL-ES and PL-I-ES, show potent anticancer activity against various human cancer cells. These natural agents induce cell death through oxidative stress and apoptosis, suggesting potential clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current cancer therapies have limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Natural products, such as mushroom extracts, are being explored for their potential anticancer properties.
- Two specific extracts from Phellinus linteus, PL-ES and PL-I-ES, were selected for investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro anticancer effects of Phellinus linteus extracts (PL-ES and PL-I-ES) on a panel of human cancer cell lines.
- To determine the mechanisms underlying the observed anticancer activities, focusing on oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Ten human cancer cell lines (prostate, bladder, kidney, lung, breast, stomach, liver, brain) were treated with PL-ES and PL-I-ES.
- Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay.
- Oxidative stress and apoptosis induction were evaluated through lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays and caspase-3/caspase-9 enzymatic activity measurements.
Main Results:
- PL-ES (100 µg/mL) significantly reduced growth (40-80%) in all 10 cancer cell lines.
- PL-I-ES showed significant growth reduction (25-90%) in seven cell lines at 250 µg/mL.
- Both extracts induced oxidative stress and activated caspase-3 and caspase-9, indicating apoptosis as the mechanism of cell death.
Conclusions:
- PL-ES and PL-I-ES exhibit significant anticancer effects against a variety of human cancer cells.
- The anticancer activity is mediated by oxidative stress leading to apoptosis.
- These mushroom extracts represent promising candidates for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
