Triterpene-Enriched Extracts from Ganoderma Lucidum Inhibit Growth of Hepatoma Cells Via Suppressing Protein Kinase C, Activating Mitogen- Activated Protein Kinases and G2-Phase Cell Cycle Arrest
Resource
LIFE SCIENCES v.72 n.21 pp.2381-2390
Journal
LIFE SCIENCES
Journal Volume
v.72
Journal Issue
n.21
Pages
2381-2390
Date Issued
2003
Date
2003
Author(s)
Lin, Shwu-Bin
Li, Chyi-Hann
Lee, Shiuh-Sheng
Kan, Lou-Sing
Abstract
The medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has been used in the Orient for the prevention and treatment of various diseases including cancer. Except for the immune enhancing properties of its polysaccharide constituent, very little is known about the anticancer activity of another major constituent, triterpenes. In this report, we studied the anticancer mechanism of triterpene-enriched extracts from G. lucidum. The triterpene -enriched fraction, WEES-G6, was prepared from mycelia of G. lucidum. by sequential hot water extraction, removal of ethanol-insoluble polysaccharides and then, gel-filtration chromatography. We found that WEES-G6 inhibited growth of human hepatoma Huh-7 cells, but not Chang liver cells, a normal human liver cell line. Treatment with WEES-G6 caused a rapid decrease in the activity of cell growth regulative protein, PKC, and the activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinases, The changes in these molecules resulted in a prolonged G2 cell cycle phase and strong growth inhibition. None of these effects were seen in the normal liver cells. Our findings suggest that the triterpenes contained in G. lucidum are potential, anticancer agents.' (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Subjects
ANTISENSE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE
TUMOR-CELLS
CYTOTOXICITY
APOPTOSIS
PATHWAYS
INDUCTION
SDGs