A comparison of the gene expression profiles and pathway network analyses after treatment of Prostate cancer cell lines with different Ganoderma lucidum based extracts

Abstract

Background: Ganoderma lucidum is a type of fungus commonly consumed in Asia for the promotion of health and longevity. The observed biological activity of G. lucidum includes anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects which may be useful in the treatment and prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases. G. lucidum grows under conditions which range from tropical to temperate and has a different physiology depending on the geographical region in which it is grown. For this reason, the health benefits may vary depending on the form of G. lucidum and the environmental conditions to which it was exposed. This led us to investigate the effect of wildly grown G. lucidum, from the Himalayan region versus other commercially available G. lucidum products, on two human cancer cell lines.Methods: Extraction of the bioactive components found in G. lucidum is essential, as the fungus is tough and indigestible. Four different Ganoderma extracts were prepared. Thereafter, the extracts were tested on two human prostate cancer cell lines, and the IC 50 s were determined. This was followed by the use of Affymetrix GeneChip® PrimeView™ Human Gene Expression Arrays to identify the changes in gene expression due to the treatment of prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and DU145) with Ganoderma extracts. Several key genes identified with Affymetrix analysis were validated using RT-PCR. Results and Discussion:We found that all the Ganoderma extracts showed growth inhibition in the cancer cell lines tested. Using Affymetrix microarray analysis, we identified four main biologically active pathways: cell cycle control/apoptosis, cell-cell adhesion, DNA repair, and inflammatory /immune response, where activity was influenced by the Ganoderma extracts used. Using RT-PCR, we tested ten genes associated with all four pathways. The RT-PCR results supported our findings in the Affymetrix analysis, i.e. that G. lucidum extracts have an anti-inflammatory and cell cycle effect and therefore may have long term health benefits. These effects were specific to the extract tested.

The marine triterpene glycoside frondoside A exhibits activity in vitro and in vivo in prostate cancer

“…The observed differences of the effects may be at least partly explained by the different effects of FrA on p21 expression in PC‐3, DU145, or LNCaP cells. This effect, as well as the cell line dependent role of caspases in FrA‐induced apoptosis is presumably the result of genetic variations found in the different human prostate cancer cell lines …”

“…3b), while no PTEN was detected in PC-3 (both FrA-treated and untreated, data not shown) due to the previously described homologous deletions of PTEN gene in this cell line. 31 Differences in the genetic background 32,33 of DU145 and PC-3 cells maybe explain the different caspase-dependent or -independent apoptosis pathways induced by FrA, (Figs. 2c and 2d), while caspase-3 cleavage was observed for both cell lines (Fig.…”

“…This effect, as well as the cell line dependent role of caspases in FrA-induced apoptosis is presumably the result of genetic variations found in the different human prostate cancer cell lines. [31][32][33] Macroautophagy (here referred to as autophagy) is the basic cellular catabolic "self-eating" process which leads to non-selective bulk degradation of organelles and proteins by the lysosome system. 48 It can result from cellular stress, e.g.…”

Mitotic activity of a new phytotherapeutic product with a trade name of “Ganomix”

“…These multiple ingredients of Reishi help to control the whole body's function. Moreover, Reishi mushroom relieves harmful effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (Wu et al 2001;Bao et al 2002;Chen et al 2002;Gao et al 2003;Zhang et al 2003;Boh et al 2007;Kao et al 2014).…”