Ganoderma lucidum Extract Induces G1 Cell Cycle Arrest, and Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst is a traditional Chinese herb that has been widely used for centuries to treat various diseases including cancer. Herein, an ethanol-soluble and acidic component (ESAC), which mainly contains triterpenes, was prepared from G. lucidum and its anti-tumor effects in vitro were tested on human breast cancer cells. Our results showed that ESAC reduced the cell viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration-dependent manner with IC(50) of about 100 μg/mL and 60 μg/mL, respectively. DNA damage was detected by Comet assay and the increased expression of γ-H2AX after ESAC treatment was determined in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, ESAC effectively mediated G1 cell cycle arrest in both concentration- and time-dependent manners and induced apoptosis as determined by Hoechst staining, DNA fragment assay and Western blot analysis in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, ESAC exerts anti-proliferation effects by inducing DNA damage, G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by betulinic acid-rich fraction from Dillenia suffruticosa root in MCF-7 cells involved p53/p21 and mitochondrial signalling pathway

“…Overexpression of Bcl-2 protein inhibits apoptosis whereby up-regulation of Bax protein induces apoptosis in the cancer cells (Mohan et al, 2012;Wu et al, 2012;Ng et al, 2011). Outcome of cellular viability/apoptosis is determined not only by the expression of specific pro-and anti-apoptotic genes/ proteins, but is dependent on the ratio between pro and anti-apoptotic proteins (Kumar et al, 2013;Tasyriq et al, 2012;Gao and Dou, 2000).…”

From 2000years of Ganoderma lucidum to recent developments in nutraceuticals

“…There are many mechanisms by which the G. lucidum extracts exhibit anti-cancer activities. These include direct inhibition of cell proliferation through cancer-specific cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (Fukuzawa et al, 2008;Jedinak et al, 2011;Tang et al, 2006;Wu et al, 2012). In addition, a number of researchers have shown that treatment of cancer cells with G. lucidum extracts can lead to down-regulation of cell cycle-associated proteins resulting in cell cycle arrest (Jedinak et al, 2011;Sliva et al, 2012;WHO, 2014;Wu et al, 2013).…”

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).…”