Cordyceps militaris induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells through TNF-α/TNFR1-mediated inhibition of NF-κB phosphorylation

Abstract

Background: Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr. (C. militaris) exhibits pharmacological activities, including antitumor properties, through the regulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and TNF-α modulates cell survival and apoptosis through NF-κB signaling. However, the mechanism underlying its mode of action on the NF-κB pathway is unclear. Methods: Here, we analyzed the effect of C. militaris extract (CME) on the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells by confirming viability, morphological changes, migration assay. Additionally, CME induced apoptosis was determined by apoptosis assay and apoptotic body formation under TEM. The mechanisms of CME were determined through microarray, immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Results: CME reduced the viability of cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced morphological changes. We confirmed the decrease in the migration activity of SKOV-3 cells after treatment with CME and the consequent induction of apoptosis. Immunoblotting results showed that the CME-mediated upregulation of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) expression induced apoptosis of SKOV-3 cells via the serial activation of caspases. Moreover, CME negatively modulated NF-κB activation via TNFR expression, suggestive of the activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. The binding of TNF-α to TNFR results in the disassociation of IκB from NF-κB and the subsequent translocation of the active NF-κB to the nucleus. CME clearly suppressed NF-κB translocation induced by interleukin (IL-1β) from the cytosol into the nucleus. The decrease in the expression levels of B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-xL and Bcl-2 led to a marked increase in cell apoptosis. Conclusion: These results suggest that C. militaris inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation, survival, and migration, possibly through the coordination between TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling and NF-κB activation. Taken together, our findings provide a new insight into a novel treatment strategy for ovarian cancer using C. militaris.

7β-(3-Ethyl-cis-crotonoyloxy)-1α-(2-methylbutyryloxy)-3,14-dehydro-Z Notonipetranone Attenuates Neuropathic Pain by Suppressing Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory and Pro-Apoptotic Protein Expressions

“…The number of mice surviving in each group and the mortality rate was recorded daily as previously described [ 85 , 86 ]. Animals were observed throughout the experiment to record distress symptoms.…”

Cordyceps militaris Fruit Body Extract Decreases Testosterone Catabolism and Testosterone-Stimulated Prostate Hypertrophy

“…By contrast, CM had little effect on nonprostatic human endometrial epithelial cells. It is reported that Cordyceps militaris extract inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, nonsmall-cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer cells through androgen-independent signaling pathways [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Given that the CM-induced decrease in prostate hyperplasia was independent of the serum level of testosterone, CM may regulate the proliferation of prostate cells by inhibiting the activation of intracellular signal pathways other than those involved in testosterone signaling.…”

Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal the regulatory networks and metabolite biosynthesis pathways during the development of Tolypocladium guangdongense

“…Cordycepin is an important metabolite in C. militaris , and possesses the potential as a medicine, food and herbicide [79] , [80] , [81] . In T. guangdongense , extremely low levels of cordycepin were detected, and the genes involved in cordycepin biosynthesis were not identified in the genome of T. guangdongense .…”