Antitumor effects and mechanisms of Ganoderma extracts and spores oil

Abstract

Abstract. Ganoderma lucidum is a popular herbal medicine used in China to promote health. Modern studies have disclosed that the active ingredients of Ganoderma can exhibit several effects, including antitumor effects and immunomodulation. The present study evaluated the antitumor effects of self-prepared Ganoderma extracts and spores oil, and investigated the possible underlying mechanisms by observing the effects of the extracts and oil on topoisomerases and the cell cycle. The results showed that Ganoderma extracts and spores oil presented dose-dependent inhibitory effects on tumor cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values of Ganoderma extracts on HL60, K562 and SGC-7901 cells for 24 h were 0.44, 0.39 and 0.90 mg/ml, respectively; for Ganoderma spores oil, the IC 50 values were 1.13, 2.27 and 6.29 mg/ml, respectively. In the in vivo study, the inhibitory rates of Ganoderma extracts (4 g/kg/d, intragastrically) on S180 and H22 cells were 39.1 and 44.6%, respectively, and for Ganoderma spores oil (1.2 g/kg/d, intragastrically) the inhibitory rates were 30.9 and 44.9%, respectively. Ganoderma extracts and spores oil inhibited the activities of topoisomerase I and II. Ganoderma spores oil was shown block the cell cycle at the transition between the G1 and S phases and induce a marked decrease in cyclin D1 levels in K562 cells, with no significant change in cyclin E level. These results suggest that the Ganoderma extracts and spores oil possessed antitumor effects in the in vitro and in vivo studies. The antitumor mechanisms of the extracts and spores oil were associated with inhibitory effects on topoisomerase I and II activities, and for Ganoderma spores oil, the antitumor effects may also be associated with decreased cyclin D1 levels, thus inducing G1 arrest in the cell cycle.

Traditional uses, chemical components and pharmacological activities of the genus Ganoderma P. Karst.: a review

“…Topoisomerases I and II may be the target of GEs and GSO actions. 72 Triterpenoids plays an important role in the antitumor activity of Ganoderma. Wu et al isolated two new triterpenoids from G. lucidum, lucidenic acid N (162) and methyl lucidenate F (173).…”

Connection of Ganoderma Lucidum with Health

“…57 Nevertheless, in vitro studies have shown that they inhibit cancer cells and show high cytotoxic activities. 5,16,47,49 It has been shown in these studies that G. lucidum has played an important role in cancer treatment and prevention.…”

“…50 Many studies showed that G. lucidum triterpenoids present cytotoxicity against cancer cells, have antioxidant effect and reduce cell damage. 5,16,47,[51][52][53] antimetastatic activity…”

“…64,66 In studies investigating G. lucidum spores and β-glucagon effects in rats, it has been reported that they inhibit inflammatory markers and tumor cells and increase survival of rats. 5,62,67,68 Different results can be obtained depending on the cell type in studies performed in cancer cells. Ruan et al conducted a study on different cancer cells have reported that HepG2 cells do not induce apoptosis, although they cause apoptosis in HeLa and Caco-2 cells.…”

Ganoderma lucidum spore oil synergistically enhances the function of cyclophosphamide in the prevention of breast cancer metastasis

“…15,16 Previous study revealed that GLS oil prevented murine sarcoma S180 and murine hepatoma H22 tumor growth, ultimately inducing G1 cell cycle arrest. 16,17 In addition to the anticancer function of G. lucidum , its immune-enhancing effects have garnered increasing attention from researchers worldwide. 15,18 G. lucidum was found to significantly enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity in patients with advanced cancer.…”