The effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on immunological function and identify its anti-tumor immunostimulatory...

Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) has shown positive effects for tumor treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of GLE treatment is unknown. In this study, a Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mouse model was established to explore the anti-tumor and immunostimulatory activity of GLE treatment. The results showed that GLE effectively inhibited tumor growth without hepatic/renal toxicity and bone marrow suppression, and might enhancing immunological function. Based on the mRNA profiles of GLE treated and untreated mice, 302 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs were identified and 6 kernel mRNAs were identified from the established protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Quantitative RT-PCR and western-blot analysis indicated that 6 mRNAs have had statistically significant differences between the GLE treated and untreated mice. Furthermore, four kernel pathways were isolated from the KEGG-Target network, including the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Western-blot and cytokine detection results demonstrated that GLE suppressed growth and proliferation of tumors by the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, but also regulated the expression levels of serum immune cytokines and improved the anti-tumor immunostimulatory activity.