Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth and Expression of Key Molecules in Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Abstract

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most lethal and least understood form of advanced breast cancer. Its lethality originates from its nature of invading the lymphatic system and absence of a palpable tumor mass. Different from other metastatic breast cancer cells, IBC cells invade by forming tumor spheroids that retain E-cadherin-based cell–cell adhesions. Herein we describe the potential of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) as an attractive candidate for anti-IBC therapy. Reishi contains biological compounds that are cytotoxic against cancer cells. We report the effects of Reishi on viability, apoptosis, invasion, and its mechanism of action in IBC cells (SUM-149). Results show that Reishi selectively inhibits cancer cell viability although it does not affect the viability of noncancerous mammary epithelial cells. Apoptosis induction is consistent with decreased cell viability. Reishi inhibits cell invasion and disrupts the cell spheroids that are characteristic of the IBC invasive pathology. Reishi decreases the expression of genes involved in cancer cell survival and proliferation (BCL-2, TERT, PDGFB), and invasion and metastasis (MMP-9), whereas it increases the expression of IL8. Reishi reduces BCL-2, BCL-XL, E-cadherin, eIF4G, p120-catenin, and c-Myc protein expression and gelatinase activity. These findings suggest that Reishi is an effective anti-IBC therapeutic.

The Soy Isoflavone Equol May Increase Cancer Malignancy via Up-regulation of Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis Initiation Factor eIF4G

“…35, qRT-PCR analysis was performed from cells treated with vehicle or equol for 24 h. Total RNA was extracted using the Qiagen RNeasy Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). RNA concentration was detected using a NanoDrop (Thermo Scientific, Wilmington, DE).…”

Clinical Characteristics of Gynecologic Cancer Patients who Respond to Salvage Treatment with Lingzhi

“…It has been widely used in China and other Asian countries in health promotion for thousands of years (Martínez-Montemayor et al, 2011). Furthermore, previous publications have revealed anti-cancer effects of Ganoderma lucidum especially in in vitro studies (Martínez-Montemayor et al, 2011;Zhao et al, 2011;Wu et al, 2012). The bioactive gradients in Ganoderma lucidum consist of triterpenoids, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins/peptides and trace elements (Zhao et al, 2011).…”

Cytotoxic activities of <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i> ethanol extract against HepG2 cell line

“…This mushroom composed of huge amount of polysaccharides (β-D-glucans, heteropolysaccharides and glycoproteins), flavonoids, alkaloids, anti-oxidants, proteins, vitamins, minerals (Zjawiony, 2004). Some recent studies described ethanol extracts of G. lucidum, as in vitro inhibitors of various cancer cell lines such has melanoma, gastric carcinoma and inflammatory breast cancer (Martínez-Montemayor et al, 2011). The present study was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity properties of G. lucidum against HepG2 cell lines.…”