The ethyl acetate extract of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human colon carcinoma HT29 cells

A review on the cultivation, bioactive compounds, health-promoting factors and clinical trials of medicinal mushrooms Taiwanofungus camphoratus, Inonotus obliquus and Tropicoporus linteus

Medicinal mushrooms, such as Taiwanofungus camphoratus, Inonotus obliquus, and Tropicoporus linteus, have been used in traditional medicine for therapeutic purposes and promotion of overall health in China and many East Asian countries for centuries. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated the large amounts of bioactive constituents (such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and phenolic compounds) available in these medicinal mushrooms and their potential therapeutic properties. Due to the rising demand for the health-promoting medicinal mushrooms, various cultivation methods have been explored to combat over-harvesting of the fungi. Evidence of the robust pharmacological properties, including their anticancer, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antiviral activities, have been provided in various studies, where the health-benefiting properties of the medicinal fungi have been further proven through numerous clinical trials. In this review, the cultivation methods, available bioactive constituents, therapeutic properties, and potential uses of T. camphoratus, I. obliquus and T. linteus are explored.

Ergosterol peroxide: an effect-directed detecting method from Anoectochilus elwesii and evaluation of anticancer activity

Ergosterol peroxide (EP) in Anoectochilus elwesii possesses antioxidant and anticancer properties, yet few studies have been focused on its mechanisms and directed detecting. By practicing HPTLC-DPPH coupled with UHPLC-ESI-TOF MS, EP was located and the cytotoxic activity of EP was performed by MTT method. The apoptosis studies were conducted on SGC-7901cells by AO/EB and Annex V/PI staining method, PI flow cytometric assay, reactive oxygen species detection and mitochondrial membrane potential assay. An effect-directed detecting method of HPTLC-DPPH/UHPLC/ESI-TOF-MS was developed for EP rapidly and precisely, providing an option for identifying oxidative compounds. EP exhibits high cytotoxic activity against SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells and the morphological apoptosis suggested that EP induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. It could enhance the ROS level and cause a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Its antiproliferative mechanism is G0/G1 phase arrest and might be traced through ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction pathways.

Dietary Mixed Cereal Grains Ameliorate the Azoxymethane and Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colonic Carcinogenesis in C57BL/6J Mice

The chemopreventive effects of various mixed cereal grain (MCG) samples on azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS, 0.02 g/mL)-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) in C57BL/6J mice were studied. The main MCG preparation consisted of fermented brown rice (FBR), glutinous brown rice, glutinous Sorghum bicolor, glutinous Panicum miliaceum, Coix lacryma-jobi, and black soybean at an appropriate mixing ratio. Other MCG preparations contained rice coated with 5% Phellinus linteus and 5% Curcuma longa (MCG-PC) or 10% Phellinus linteus (MCG-P) or 10% Curcuma longa (MCG-C). Consumption of dietary MCG-PC by CRC mice significantly increased colon length, decreased the ratio of colon weight to length, and reduced the number of colon tumors. Similar effects, although to a lower extent, were observed in CRC mice fed with MCG-P, followed by those fed with MCG-C, MCG, FBR, or white rice. MCG-PC significantly suppressed colonic neoplasia and decreased the levels of various cytokines (tumor necrosis factor: Tnf, interleukin 1 beta: Il1b, interleukin 6: Il6, and interferon gamma: Ifnγ) in serum and colon tissue of the CRC mice. In addition, MCG-PC increased the mRNA expressions of tumor suppressor protein p53 (Tp53) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cdkn1a), activated pro-apoptotic caspase 3 (Casp3), and reduced expressions of both mRNA and protein of inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2), and cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) in colon tissue. These findings suggest that compared with other cereal grain preparations, MCG-PC had a greater activity against AOM/DSS-induced CRC by reducing intestinal inflammation and modulating the expression of certain carcinogenesis related factors (Nos2, Ptgs2, Tp53, Cdkn1a, Ccnd1, and Casp3) in colon tissue of CRC mice.

Phellinus linteus Grown on Germinated Brown Rice Inhibits IgE-Mediated Allergic Activity through the Suppression of FcεRI-Dependent Signaling Pathway In Vitro and In Vivo

Phellinus linteus (PL) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine owing to its immune regulatory activity. Previous studies reported that PL grown on germinated brown rice (PBR) exerted immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, role of PBR on type I hypersensitive reactions has not been studied yet. We found that PBR contained more polyphenolic compounds than PL extract. Among fractions, PBR butanol fraction (PBR-BuOH) significantly contained the most amounts of total polyphenolic contents compared with all extracts or fractions. In this study, anti-allergic activity of PBR-BuOH was examined using in vitro and in vivo models of immunoglobulin E/antigen- (IgE/Ag-) stimulated allergy. The inhibitory activity of degranulation was higher in PBR-BuOH (IC₅₀ 41.31 ± 0.14 μg/mL) than in PL-BuOH (IC₅₀ 108.07 ± 8.98 μg/mL). We observed that PBR-BuOH suppressed calcium influx and the level of TNF-α and IL-4 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. The phosphorylation of Fyn, Gab2, PI3K, Syk, and IκB protein is reduced by PBR-BuOH. Oral administration of PBR-BuOH inhibited allergic reactions including the extravasation of Evans blue dye, ear swelling, and infiltration of immune cells in mice with passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). These findings suggest that PBR-BuOH might be used as a functional food, a health supplement, or a drug for preventing type I hypersensitive allergic disease.

Lactobacillus acidophilus-Fermented Germinated Brown Rice Suppresses Preneoplastic Lesions of the Colon in Rats

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer associated with chronic inflammation. Whole grains and probiotics play a protective role against CRC. Fermented grains are receiving increased attention due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Our previous study found that a combination of germinated brown rice (GBR) with probiotics suppressed colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. However, the cancer-preventive effect of probiotic-fermented GBR has not been reported. This study investigated the preventive effect and possible mechanism of GBR fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus (FGBR) on colorectal carcinogenesis in rats induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). DMH/DSS treatment induced preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF), elevated serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, as well as decreased pro-apoptotic Bax expression. GBR and FGBR reduced the primary ACF number and decreased TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β levels. GBR and FGBR at the 2.5% level increased pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-3 and decreased anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expressions. FGBR at the 2.5% level further reduced the number of sialomucin-producing ACF (SIM-ACF) and increased Bax expression. These results suggest that FGBR may inhibit preneoplastic lesions of the colon via activating the apoptotic pathway. This fermented rice product may have the potential to be developed as a novel dietary supplement for CRC chemoprevention.

Anticancer Action and Mechanism of Ergosterol Peroxide from Paecilomyces cicadae Fermentation Broth

Isaria cicadae, a medicinal food fungus, is a fruit from Paecilomyces cicadae. In this study, we purified ergosterol peroxide (EP) from the fermentation broth of P. cicadae and investigated its effects on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells, in vitro. EP was purified from P. cicadae fermentation broth. The human RCC cell line 786-0 was used to analyze the anticancer mechanism of EP and inhibit its effect on cancer cell proliferation, in vitro. EP with a validated structure showed a yield rate of 20.1 mg/L and a purity of 96%. EP significantly inhibited RCC cell growth and clone formation in vitro. In addition, EP suppressed the migration and invasion, triggered the apoptosis, and modulated the cell cycle of RCC cells, in a dose-dependent manner. It also downregulated β-catenin expression. EP could be routinely produced through P. cicadae. It fights RCC cells in vitro through multiple mechanisms, including suppressing cell growth, colonization, migration, and invasion, arresting the cell cycle, attenuating β-catenin pathways, and triggering apoptosis.

Phellinus linteus Grown on Germinated Brown Rice Increases Cetuximab Sensitivity of KRAS-Mutated Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, and it has recently become a leading cause of death worldwide. Among colon cancers, the v-ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-mutated form is notorious for its non-druggable features. Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor, has been introduced as an antitumor therapy; however, secondary resistance and side effects significantly limit its effective use in these cancers. In this study, we prepared Phellinuslinteus on germinated brown rice (PBR) extracts to increase the sensitivity of KRAS-mutated colon cancers to cetuximab. The combined treatment of PBR extract and cetuximab suppressed SW480 cell viability/proliferation, with the cells exhibiting altered cellular morphology and clonogenic potential. AnnexinV–fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide–stained flow cytometry and Western blotting were performed, and PBR extract combined with cetuximab treatment increased apoptosis of the SW480 cells and suppressed their KRAS protein expression. The potential of PBR as a synergistic anticancer agent was further investigated in a tumor-xenografted mouse model. Tumor growth was significantly suppressed with PBR extract and cetuximab co-treatment. In conclusion, PBR increased the sensitivity of KRAS-mutated colon cancer cells to cetuximab, which indicates the potential use of PBR as a medical food against colon cancer.

Phellinus linteus Mycelium Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through Autophagic Regulation

The incidence of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is rapidly increasing around the world and this disease is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. It is known that regulation of programmed cell death including apoptosis and autophagy reduces the impact of myocardial IR injury. In this study, the cardioprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of Phellinus linteus (Berk. and Curt.) Teng, Hymenochaetaceae (PL), a type of medicinal mushroom, were examined in rats subjected to myocardial IR injury. The left main coronary artery of rats was ligated for 1 h and reperfused for 3 h. The arrhythmia levels were monitored during the entire process and the infarct size was evaluated after myocardial IR injury. Furthermore, the expression levels of proteins in apoptotic and autophagic pathways were observed. Pretreatment with PL mycelium (PLM) significantly reduced ventricular arrhythmia and mortality due to myocardial IR injury. PLM also significantly decreased myocardial infarct size and plasma lactate dehydrogenase level after myocardial IR injury. Moreover, PLM administration resulted in decreased caspase 3 and caspase 9 activation and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Phosphorylation level of AMPK was elevated while mTOR level was reduced. Becline-1 and p62 levels decreased. These findings suggest that PLM is effective in protecting the myocardium against IR injury. The mechanism involves mediation through suppressed pro-apoptotic signaling and regulation of autophagic signaling, including stimulation of AMPK-dependent pathway and inhibition of beclin-1-dependent pathway, resulting in enhancement of protective autophagy and inhibition of excessive autophagy.

Bovine lactoferricin P13 triggers ROS-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis in SMMC7721 cells

Bovine lactoferricin P13 (LfcinB-P13) is a peptide derived from LfcinB. In the present study, the effect of LfcinB-P13 on the human liver cancer cell line SMMC7721 was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results of the present study indicate that LfcinB-P13 significantly decreased SMMC7721 cell viability in vitro (P=0.032 vs. untreated cells), while exhibiting low cytotoxicity in the wild-type liver cell line L02. In addition, the rate of apoptosis in SMMC7721 cells was significantly increased following treatment with 40 and 60 µg/ml LfcinB-P13 (P=0.0053 vs. the control group), which was associated with an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of caspase-3 and -9. Furthermore, ROS chelation led to the suppression of LfcinB-P13-mediated caspase-3 and -9 activation in SMMC7721 cells. LfcinB-P13 was demonstrated to markedly inhibit tumor growth in an SMMC7721-xenograft nude mouse model. The results of the present study indicate that LfcinB-P13 is a novel candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of liver cancer.

Antiallergic Activity of Ethanol Extracts of Arctium lappa L. Undried Roots and Its Active Compound, Oleamide, in Regulating FcεRI-Mediated and MAPK Signaling in RBL-2H3 Cells

The antiallergic potential of Arctium lappa L. was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats, ICR mice, and RBL-2H3 cells. Ethanol extract (90%) of A. lappa (ALE, 100 μg/mL) inhibited the degranulation rate by 52.9%, determined by the level of β-hexosaminidase. ALE suppressed passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and attenuated anaphylaxis and histamine release in mice. To identify the active compound of ALE, we subsequently fractionated and determined the level of β-hexosaminidase in all subfractions. Oleamide was identified as an active compound of ALE, which attenuated the secretion of histamine and the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in cells treated with compound 48/80 or A23187/phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Oleamide suppressed FcεRI-tyrosine kinase Lyn-mediated pathway, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK/SAPK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38-MAPKs). These results showed that ALE and oleamide attenuated allergic reactions and should serve as a platform to search for compounds with antiallergic activity.

Fruit Extract from Pyropolyporus fomentarius (L. ex Fr.) Teng Induces Mitochondria-Dependent Apoptosis in Leukemia Cells but Enhances Immunomodulatory Activities of Splenic Lymphocytes

Pyropolyporus fomentarius (L. ex Fr.) Teng is a unique woody mushroom due to its medicinal value with numerous pharmacological activities. This study presented the potential antitumor and immunomodulatory properties of ethanol extract of P. fomentarius. The results showed that P. fomentarius extract inhibited the viability of murine leukemia L1210 cells in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 value of 69.35 μg/ml. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that the extract induced apoptosis in L1210 cells. Additionally, the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed as well as the changes of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2, and Bax, suggesting that proapoptosis effect of the extract involved mitochondria-related pathway. Simultaneously, the P. fomentarius extract significantly enhanced the proliferation and activation of splenic lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. This P. fomentarius extract has potential applications as a natural antitumor agent with immunomodulatory activity.

Comparison of free amino acids, antioxidants, soluble phenolic acids, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation of fermented mung bean and soybean

BACKGROUND

Mung bean and soybean have been individually reported previously to have antioxidant, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects, while fermentation is a well-known process to enhance the bioactive compounds that contribute to higher antioxidant, cytotoxic and immunomodulation effects. In this study, the free amino acids profile, soluble phenolic acids content, antioxidants, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of fermented and non-fermented mung bean and soybean were compared.

RESULTS

Fermented mung bean was recorded to have the highest level of free amino acids, soluble phenolic acids (especially protocatechuic acid) and antioxidant activities among all the tested products. Both fermented mung bean and soybean possessed cytotoxicity activities against breast cancer MCF-7 cells by arresting the G0/G1 phase followed by apoptosis. Moreover, fermented mung bean and soybean also induced splenocyte proliferation and enhanced the levels of serum interleukin-2 and interferon-γ.

CONCLUSION

Augmented amounts of free amino acids and phenolic acids content after fermentation enhanced the antioxidants, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation effects of mung bean and soybean. More specifically, fermented mung bean showed the best effects among all the tested products. This study revealed the potential of fermented mung bean and soybean as functional foods for maintenance of good health.

Pfaffosidic Fraction from Hebanthe paniculata Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Caspase-3-Induced Apoptosis in HepG2 Cells

Hebanthe paniculata roots (formerly Pfaffia paniculata and popularly known as Brazilian ginseng) show antineoplastic, chemopreventive, and antiproliferative properties. Functional properties of these roots and their extracts are usually attributed to the pfaffosidic fraction, which is composed mainly by pfaffosides A–F. However, the therapeutic potential of this fraction in cancer cells is not yet entirely understood. This study aimed to analyze the antitumoral effects of the purified pfaffosidic fraction or saponinic fraction on the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line. Cellular viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated, respectively, by MTT assay, BrdU incorporation, activated caspase-3 immunocytochemistry, and DNA fragmentation assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and the cell cycle-related proteins were analyzed by quantitative PCR and Western blot. The cells exposed to pfaffosidic fraction had reduced viability and cellular growth, induced G2/M at 48 h or S at 72 h arrest, and increased sub-G1 cell population via cyclin E downregulation, p27^KIP1 overexpression, and caspase-3-induced apoptosis, without affecting the DNA integrity. Antitumoral effects of pfaffosidic fraction from H. paniculata in HepG2 cells originated by multimechanisms of action might be associated with cell cycle arrest in the S phase, by CDK2 and cyclin E downregulation and p27^KIP1 overexpression, besides induction of apoptosis through caspase-3 activation.

Phellinus linteus extract induces autophagy and synergizes with 5-fluorouracil to inhibit breast cancer cell growth

Phellinus linteus (PL) is a medicinal mushroom due to its several biological properties, including anticancer activity. However, the mechanisms of its anticancer effect remain to be elucidated. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of the ethanolic extract from the PL combined with 5-FU on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line and to determine the mechanism of cell death. Individually, PL extract and 5-FU significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. PL extract (30 mg/mL) in combination with 5-FU (10 μg/mL) synergistically inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells by 1.8-fold. PL did not induce apoptosis, as demonstrated by the DNA fragmentation assay, the sub-G1 population, and staining with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide. The exposure of MDA-MB-231 cells to PL extracts resulted in several confirmed characteristics of autophagy, including the appearance of autophagic vacuoles revealed by monodansylcadaverine staining, the formation of acidic vesicular organelles, autophagosome membrane association of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) characterized by cleavage of LC3 and its punctuate redistribution, and ultrastructural observation of autophagic vacuoles by transmission electron microscopy. We concluded that PL extracts synergized with low doses of 5-FU to inhibit triple-negative breast cancer cell growth and demonstrated that PL extract can induce autophagy-related cell death.

CARI III inhibits tumor growth in a melanoma-bearing mouse model through induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest

Mushroom-derived natural products have been used to prevent or treat cancer for millennia. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of CARI (Cell Activation Research Institute) III, which consists of a blend of mushroom mycelia from Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice, Inonotus obliquus grown on germinated brown rice, Antrodia camphorata grown on germinated brown rice and Ganoderma lucidum. Here, we showed that CARI III exerted anti-cancer activity, which is comparable to Dox against melanoma in vivo. B16F10 cells were intraperitoneally injected into C57BL6 mice to develop solid intra-abdominal tumors. Three hundred milligrams of the CARI III/kg/day p.o. regimen reduced tumor weight, comparable to the doxorubicin (Dox)-treated group. An increase in life span (ILS% = 50.88%) was observed in the CARI III-administered group, compared to the tumor control group. CARI III demonstrates anti-proliferative activity against B16F10 melanoma cells through inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. CARI III inhibits the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK2 and induces p21. Therefore, CARI III could be a potential chemopreventive supplement to melanoma patients.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice on dextran sodium sulfate-induced acute colitis in mice and LPS-activated macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Phellinus linteus is a herb used in traditional Asian medicine to treat stomachache, inflammation, and tumors. Recent studies show that the extract of Phellinus linteus has anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. However, Phellinus linteus extract has limitation of high cost and limited availability because of supply shortage. Here, we grew Phellinus linteus on germinated brown rice to address the issue of supply shortage and investigated anti-inflammatory effect in vivo as well as in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice (PBR) were extracted using filtration steps, which included γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The PBR (200, 500mg/kg/day) was applied into the mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. We used sulfasalazine as a reference drug. In addition, mechanism related to anti-inflammatory was investigated by Western blotting.

RESULTS

In the mouse model of DSS-induced colitis, PBR ameliorated the pathological characteristics of colitis such as shortening of colon length and improved the disease activity index score. In addition, we showed that PBR reduced the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in colitis. Western blotting showed that PBR decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) proteins. Further, PBR treatment reduced the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (e.g., extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38) in the mouse model of DSS-induced colitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with a combination of PBR and LPS showed a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. In addition, we determined the ability of PBR to reduce the iNOS and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression. PBR inhibited the expression of iNOS, NF-κB, and Cox-2 proteins in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. This study presents the potential use of PBR as a drug candidate against colitis.

Antrodia camphorata grown on germinated brown rice inhibits HT-29 human colon carcinoma proliferation through inducing G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis by targeting the β-catenin signaling

Antrodia camphorata (AC) has been used as a traditional medicine to treat food and drug intoxication, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypertension, pruritis (skin itch), and liver cancer in East Asia. In this study, we investigated anticancer activities of AC grown on germinated brown rice (CBR) in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. We found that the inhibitory efficacy of CBR 80% ethanol (EtOH) extract on HT-29 and CT-26 cell proliferation was more effective than ordinary AC EtOH 80% extract. Next, 80% EtOH extract of CBR was further separated into four fractions; hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (BuOH), and water. Among them, CBR EtOAc fraction showed the strongest inhibitory activity against HT-29 cell proliferation. Therefore, CBR EtOAc fraction was chosen for further studies. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate staining data indicated that CBR EtOAc fraction induced apoptosis. Induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest on human colon carcinoma cell was observed in CBR EtOAc fraction-treated cells. We found that CBR decreased the level of proteins involved in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. CBR EtOAc fraction inhibited the β-catenin signaling pathway, supporting its suppressive activity on the level of cyclin D1. High performance liquid chromatography analysis data indicated that CBR EtOAc fraction contained adenosine. This is the first investigation that CBR has a greater potential as a novel chemopreventive agent than AC against colon cancer. These data suggest that CBR might be useful as a chemopreventive agent against colorectal cancer.

Cancer Prevention and Therapy: Integrating Traditional Korean Medicine Into Modern Cancer Care

In spite of billions of dollars spent on cancer research each year, overall cancer incidence and cancer survival has not changed significantly in the last half century. Instead, the recent projection from the World Health Organization suggests that global cancer incidence and death is expected to double within the next decade. This requires an "out of the box" thinking approach. While traditional medicine used for thousands of years is safe and affordable, its efficacy and mechanism of action are not fully reported. Demonstrating that traditional medicine is efficacious and how it works can provide a "bed to bench" and "bench to bed" back approach toward prevention and treatment of cancer. This current review is an attempt to describe the contributions of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) to modern medicine and, in particular, cancer treatment. TKM suggests that cancer is an outcome of an imbalance of body, mind, and spirit; thus, it requires a multimodal treatment approach that involves lifestyle modification, herbal prescription, acupuncture, moxibustion, traditional exercise, and meditation to restore the balance. Old wisdoms in combination with modern science can find a new way to deal with the "emperor of all maladies."

Identification of an anticancer compound against HT-29 cells from Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice

OBJECTIVE

To isolate and identify the anticancer compound against proliferation of human colon cancer cells from ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice (PB).

METHODS

EtOAc extract of PB was partitioned with n-hexane, EtOAc, and water-saturated n-butanol. Anticancer compound of n-hexane layer was isolated and identified by HPLC and NMR, respectively. Cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells was tested by SRB assay.

RESULTS

The n-hexane layer obtained after solvent fractionation of PB EtOAc extracts showed a potent anticancer activity against the HT-29 cell line. Atractylenolide I, a eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactone, a major anticancer substance of PB, was isolated from the n-hexane layer by silica gel column chromatography and preparative-HPLC. This structure was elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data. Atractylenolide I has not been reported in mushrooms or rice as of yet. The isolated compound dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HT-29 human colon cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Atractylenolide I might contribute to the anticancer effect of PB.

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Inonotus obliquus and germinated brown rice extracts

Inonotus obliquus (IO) is parasitic mushroom that grows on birch and other trees in Russia, Korea, Europe and United States. However, IO is not readily available for consumption due to its high cost and difficult growth. In this regard, IO was inoculated on germinated brown rice (GBR) in the present study and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the IO grown on germinated brown rice (IOGBR) extracts were evaluated extensively and compared with those for IO and GBR. IOGBR showed highest antioxidant activities with scavenging total intracellular ROS and MDA levels as well as increasing the antioxidant enzymes activity in the H₂O₂-stimulated mice liver. It also exhibited best inflammatory activities by suppressing the proinflammatory mediators such as NO, PGE₂, iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in an LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell line. This study provides a comparative approach to find out an excellent natural source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agent as a dietary supplement.

The ethyl acetate extract of Cordyceps militaris inhibits IgE-mediated allergic responses in mast cells and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cordyceps militaris has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for treating allergy in East Asia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We investigated the anti-allergic efficacy of Cordyceps militaris and its mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

β-Hexosaminidase release of mast cells, a key parameter of degranulation, was evaluated. Anti-allergic potential of Cordyceps militaris was studied using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in vivo. The anti-allergic mechanism of Cordyceps militaris was investigated by immunoblotting analysis, RT-PCR and other biological approaches in mast cells.

RESULTS

GSCM EtOAc extract (GSCME) inhibited antigen-induced degranulation with a IC50 value (28.5 μg/ml) in RBL-2H3 cells and antigen-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) response with a ED50 value (665 mg/kg) in vivo. The release of interleukin (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α were decreased by GSCME in RBL-2H3 cells. In order to elucidate the anti-allergic mechanisms of GSCME in mast cells, we examined the activated levels of signaling molecules. GSCME inhibited the phosphorylation Syk, ERK, p38 and JNK expression. Identified genistein, daidzein, genistein 7-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate, genistein 4'-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate, glycitein 7-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate, daidzein 7-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate and adenosine in GSCME, inhibited antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that GSCME might be used as a therapeutic agent for allergic diseases.

The ethyl acetate extract of PGP (Phellinus linteus grown on Panax ginseng) suppresses B16F10 melanoma cell proliferation through inducing cellular differentiation and apoptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Phellinus linteus and Panax ginseng have been widely used as traditional herbal medicines to treat various diseases including cancer in East Asia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study sought to investigate the possible mechanism in anti-proliferative effect of Phellinus linteus that was grown on Panax ginseng (PGP) on B16F10 melanoma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-proliferative effect of PGP on B16F10 was evaluated by CCK-8 assays. Apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry analysis. The proteins involved in apoptosis and cellular differentiation were assessed by immunoblot analysis. Ginsenosides contents of PG or PGP were analyzed using HPLC.

RESULTS

The ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc) of PGP exhibited the strongest anti-proliferative activity among PGP fractions (butanol or water) on B16F10 cells. PGP EtOAc extract showed stronger inhibitory effect than Panax ginseng (PG) or Phellinus linteus (PL) EtOAc extract on B16F10 melanoma cell proliferation. PGP EtOAc extract induced the dendrite-like structures and the melanin production in B16F10 cells. PGP EtOAc extract increased a sub-G1 cell population through inducing p53/p21 and activated caspase-8 protein expression in B16F10 cells. Notably, PGP EtOAc extract contained ginsenosides Rd, Rg3, Rb2, Rg1 and Rb1 more than PG EtOAc extract. Rd and Rg3 significantly inhibited B16F10 cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that PGP EtOAc extract inhibits B16F10 cell proliferation through inducing apoptosis and cellular differentiation.