In Vitro Antitumor Effects of the Cold-Water Extracts of Mediterranean Species of Genus Pleurotus (Higher Basidiomycetes) on Human Colon Cancer Cells

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the cold-water extracts of Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae (CWE-Pef) and Pleurotus nebrodensis (CWE-Pn), 2 of the most prized wild and cultivated edible mushrooms, can affect the tumor phenotype of human colon cancer HCT116 cells. Our results showed that treatment with CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn resulted in a significant inhibition of the viability of HCT116 cells and promoted apoptosis, as also demonstrated by the increase of Bax-to-Bcl-2 messenger RNA ratio. Moreover, we observed that both extracts were able to inhibit cell migration and to affect homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell adhesion. It also was found that treatment with CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn negatively modulated the phosphorylation of the protein tyrosine as well as the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In conclusion, the in vitro antitumor effects of CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn indicate that they can be considered as possible sources for new alternative therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

Pleurotus nebrodensis (Basidiomycota), a rare endemic mushroom of Sicily: current and future issues

“…It also has a potential application in contrasting the biofilm mode of growth of human pathogens. Cold water extracts were tested on human colon cancer cells (Fontana et al 2014) with positive effects on antitumor activity and immunomodulation and increased natural killer cell activity. The same extracts were also tested in vivo against medically relevant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, and Escherichia coli.…”

Biology, morphology, and phylogeny of some strains of the Pleurotus eryngii species complex

“…The cold-water extract of P. eryngii var. ferulae has an anticancer effect on human colon cancer cells [16]. The ethanolic extract of P. eryngii var.…”

“…The ethanolic extract of P. eryngii var. ferulae inhibited the growth and proliferation of stomach (BGC 823) and melanoma (B16F10) cancer cells [10], and triterpenes of P. eryngii have inhibitory activity against breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines in vitro [16]. The antiinflammatory effect of pleuran from P. eryngii which suppressed inflammation in the delayed type (type IV hypersensitive) allergy response in mice was described [14].…”