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Water-Extracted Ganoderma lucidum Induces Apoptosis and S-Phase Arrest via Cyclin-CDK2 Pathway in Glioblastoma Cells
An-Yi Cheng1,2,3, Yi-Chung Chien2,3,4, Han-Chung Lee5,6
1The Ph.D. Program of Biotechnology and Biomedical Industry, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma is one of the most common and most aggressive brain cancers. The current treatment is mainly surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, but the results are not satisfactory. Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), also called "Lingzhi", is a medicinal mushroom that has been used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of numerous diseases, including cancer. However, whether it is effective for treating cancer is still unclear. In the present study, the anti-tumor effect of a water extract of G. lucidum was investigated using brain tumor cells. We used an analysis of cell viability, flow cytometry, the IncuCyte live-cell analysis system, and Western blotting to study its effects. The water extract from G. lucidum inhibited cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and it induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S phase via the cyclin-CDK2 pathway in human brain tumor cells. In addition, the G. lucidum extract significantly inhibited cell migration and mesenchymal marker expression based on the IncuCyte live-cell assay and qRT-PCR analysis. In summary, these anti-tumor effects in brain tumor cells suggest that G. lucidum may be useful for treating brain tumors.
Insights
Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) extract shows anti-tumor effects against brain cancer cells. It inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and halts cell cycle progression, suggesting potential as a novel glioblastoma treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacognosy
Background:
- Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer with unsatisfactory current treatments.
- Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is a medicinal mushroom with historical therapeutic use, including in cancer treatment.
- The anti-cancer efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum, particularly for brain tumors, requires further scientific investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-tumor effects of a Ganoderma lucidum water extract on brain tumor cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the observed anti-tumor activities of the extract.
Main Methods:
- Cell viability assays
- Flow cytometry for apoptosis and cell cycle analysis
- IncuCyte live-cell analysis for cell migration
- Western blotting and qRT-PCR for molecular marker analysis
Main Results:
- Ganoderma lucidum extract inhibited brain tumor cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- The extract induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and S-phase cell cycle arrest via the cyclin-CDK2 pathway.
- Significant inhibition of cell migration and mesenchymal marker expression was observed.
Conclusions:
- Ganoderma lucidum extract demonstrates significant anti-tumor properties against human brain tumor cells.
- The extract's mechanisms involve apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and reduced cell migration.
- These findings suggest Ganoderma lucidum holds potential as a therapeutic agent for brain tumors, including glioblastoma.
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