Ganoderma lucidum suppresses colon carcinogenesis and inflammation

Abstract

Medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, well recognized natural product that have been used in the traditional Chinese medicine, is currently used as a popular dietary supplement. Here, we show that an oral application of G. lucidum triterpene extract (GLT) suppressed colon carcinogenesis induced by the food‐borne carcinogen (2‐Amino‐1‐methyl–6‐phenylimidazol[4,5‐b]pyridine [PhIP]) and inflammation (dextran sodium sulfate [DSS]) in mice. PhIP and DSS induced formation of colonic tumors, whereas GLT treatment significantly decreased the number of tumors. Furthermore, GLT suppressed focal hyperplasia and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation. These anti‐proliferative effects of GLT were confirmed by the decreased staining with Ki‐67 in colon tissues. PhIP/DSS‐induced colon inflammation was demonstrated by the significant shortening of the large intestine, whereas GLT treatment reversed the shortening of colon lengths to the levels comparable to the control group. Moreover, PhIP/DSS‐induced infiltration of macrophages was significantly reduced in colon tissue in animals treated with GLT. Our data suggest that GLT could be considered as an alternative dietary approach for the suppression of the food‐borne carcinogen‐ and inflammation‐induced colon carcinogenesis.Supported by P50 AT00477 from NCCAM and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.