Induction Effect to Apoptosis by Maitake Polysaccharide: Synergistic Effect of Its Combination With Vitamin C in Neuroglioma Cell

Abstract

Polysaccharide extracted from the Maitake mushroom (MP) is considered as a potential anticancer agent. The present study was performed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of MP and vitamin C (VC) alone and in combination on the viability of human neuroglioma M059 K cells in vitro. A combination of MP (1.0 mg/mL) and VC (0.4 mmol/L) led to a 53.10% reduction in cell viability and this treatment induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and apoptosis occurred in 38.54% of the cells. Results of Hoechst 33258 staining and Western blot showed apoptotic cells appeared and changes in the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (upregulation of Bax and caspase-3, downregulation of Bcl-2, and activation of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase). Moreover, the activities of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were enhanced in M059 K cells. The inhibiting effect of combined treatment with MP and VC on M059 K cells indicates the mechanism of anticancer activity involved induction of cell apoptosis.

Exploring the Pivotal Neurophysiologic and Therapeutic Potentials of Vitamin C in Glioma

“…Vitamin C is a general term that describes its oxidized dehydroascorbate (DHA) and its reduced forms (ascorbate) [ 6 ]. Vitamin C is a water-soluble enzyme, typically seen as a powerful antioxidant in plants as well as animals [ 7 ]. Vitamin C was capable of preserving prosthetic metal ions like Fe 2+ and Cu + in their reduced forms in several enzymatic reactions as well as scavenge free radicals in order to safeguard tissues from oxidative damage [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Vitamin C was capable of preserving prosthetic metal ions like Fe 2+ and Cu + in their reduced forms in several enzymatic reactions as well as scavenge free radicals in order to safeguard tissues from oxidative damage [ 8 , 9 ]. Also, vitamin C participates in numerous intracellular as well as extracellular biological processes to efficiently scavenge free radicals [ 7 , 10 ].…”

“…Tsukaguchi et al indicated that the reduced form of vitamin C is absorbed via a mechanism that involves sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters 2 (SVCT2) [ 8 ]. SVCT2 RNA was identified in the epithelium of the choroid plexus [ 7 ]. Precisely, the neuroepithelial cells of the choroid plexus as well as the retinal pigmented epithelium secreted SVCT2 transporter.…”

“…Duan et al demonstrated that Maitake mushroom (MP)/vitamin C was able to inhibit the proliferation of glioma cells, augmented tumor cell apoptosis, and reduced mRNA/protein secretion of Bcl-2 while augmenting Bax mRNA or protein secretion ( Figure 2 ) [ 7 ]. They further observed augmentation in the secretion of caspase-3 as well as its endogenous substrate, cleavage of PARP [ 7 ]. Moreover, MP/vitamin C was able activate key mediators of the apoptosis pathway, such as caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 in M059 K cells ( Figure 2 ) [ 7 ].…”

“…They further observed augmentation in the secretion of caspase-3 as well as its endogenous substrate, cleavage of PARP [ 7 ]. Moreover, MP/vitamin C was able activate key mediators of the apoptosis pathway, such as caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 in M059 K cells ( Figure 2 ) [ 7 ]. Thus, the combination of MP and VC triggered M059 K cell apoptosis [ 7 ].…”