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Effect of Aspergillus terreus extract on neoplastic and non-neoplastic cell replication
A Pugliese1, V Vidotto, A M Pollono
1Istituto Malattie Infettive Università di Torino, Corso Svizzera, Italy.
Abstract:
There are very few and unconfirmed data regarding the antineoplastic activity of mycotic derivates in human cells. The effects on neoplastic and non-neoplastic cell replication of Aspergillus terreus extracts have been tested. In fact, among different species of Aspergillus mycotoxin producers. A terreus seems to be more suitable for hypothetical therapeutic purposes because of its low mycotoxin toxicity. Very evident antiblastic activity of alcoholic crude extract of A. terreus on tumor cells has been demonstrated. Doses between 3.1 and 6.2 inhibited more than 50% of tumor cells; the same effect was obtained with doses > 25 micrograms/ml on non-neoplastic cells. The action of the crude extract does not influence cellular cAMP in either neoplastic or non-neoplastic cells. The antiblastic action seems to depend primarily on the inhibitory effect of DNA duplication. Some chromatographed fractions of the mycotic extract showed inhibiting or enhancing effects on cell growth.
Insights
Aspergillus terreus extracts show significant antineoplastic activity against tumor cells, inhibiting DNA duplication. Further research into these fungal derivatives may offer novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited data exists on the anticancer potential of fungal derivatives in human cells.
- Aspergillus terreus is identified as a potential source due to its low mycotoxin toxicity compared to other Aspergillus species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antineoplastic effects of Aspergillus terreus extracts on neoplastic and non-neoplastic human cells.
- To determine the mechanism of action of the observed antiblastic activity.
Main Methods:
- Testing alcoholic crude extracts of Aspergillus terreus on cultured tumor and non-tumor cells.
- Evaluating the impact of extracts on cell replication and cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels.
- Analyzing chromatographed fractions for differential effects on cell growth.
Main Results:
- The crude extract demonstrated significant antiblastic activity, inhibiting over 50% of tumor cells at low doses (3.1–6.2 µg/ml).
- Higher concentrations (> 25 µg/ml) were required to achieve similar inhibition in non-neoplastic cells, indicating some selectivity.
- The extract did not affect cellular cAMP levels in either cell type.
- The primary mechanism of action appears to be the inhibition of DNA duplication.
- Certain chromatographed fractions exhibited either inhibitory or enhancing effects on cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Aspergillus terreus extracts possess notable antineoplastic properties against human tumor cells.
- The antiblastic effect is linked to the inhibition of DNA synthesis, with a degree of selectivity favoring tumor cells.
- Further purification and characterization of active fractions may lead to the development of novel anticancer agents.