Antitumor activity of enzymatically hydrolyzed Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide on U14 cervical carcinoma-bearing mice

A literature review on signaling pathways of cervical cancer cell death-apoptosis induced by Traditional Chinese Medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cervical cancer (CC) is a potentially lethal disorder that can have serious consequences for a woman's health. Because early symptoms are typically only present in the middle to late stages of the disease, clinical diagnosis and treatment can be challenging. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to have unique benefits in terms of alleviating cancer clinical symptoms, lowering the risk of recurrence after surgery, and reducing toxic side effects and medication resistance after radiation therapy. It has also been shown to improve the quality of life for patients. Because of its improved anti-tumor effectiveness and biosafety, it could be considered an alternative therapy option. This study examines how TCM causes apoptosis in CC cells via signal transduction, including the active components and medicinal tonics. It also intends to provide a reliable clinical basis and protocol selection for the TCM therapy of CC.

METHODS

The following search terms were employed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, and other scientific databases to retrieve pertinent literature on "cervical cancer," "apoptosis," "signaling pathway," "traditional Chinese medicine," "herbal monomers," "herbal components," "herbal extracts," and "herbal formulas."

RESULTS

It has been demonstrated that herbal medicines can induce apoptosis in cells of the cervix, a type of cancer, by influencing the signaling pathways involved.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive literature search was conducted, and 148 papers from the period between January 2017 and December 2023 were identified as eligible for inclusion. After a meticulous process of screening, elimination and summary, generalization, and analysis, it was found that TCM can regulate multiple intracellular signaling pathways and related molecular targets, such as STAT3, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, NF-κB, p53, HIF-1α, Fas/FasL and so forth. This regulatory capacity was observed to induce apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. The study of the mechanism of TCM against cervical cancer and the screening of new drug targets is of great significance for future research in this field. The results of this study will provide ideas and references for the future development of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.

Research progress and future development potential of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides in the preparation process, structure analysis, biology, and pharmacology: A review

In recent years, Flammulina velutipes (F. velutipes) has attracted consequential attention in various research fields due to its rich composition of proteins, vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, and polyphenols. F. velutipes polysaccharides (FVPs) are considered as key bioactive components of F. velutipes, demonstrating multiple physiological activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Moreover, they offer health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-aging properties, which have exceptionally valuable clinical applications. Polysaccharides derived from different sources exhibit a wide range of biomedical functions and distinct biological activities. The varied biological functions of polysaccharides, coupled with their extensive application in functional foods and clinical applications, have prompted a heightened focus on polysaccharide research. Additionally, the extraction, deproteinization, and purification of FVPs are fundamental to investigate the structure and biological activities of polysaccharides. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the extraction, deproteinization, purification, characterization, and structural elucidation of FVPs. Furthermore, the biological activities and mechanisms of FVPs have been further explored through in vivo and in vitro experiments. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and guide future research and development of FVPs.

The structural characteristic of acidic-degraded polysaccharides from seeds of Plantago ovata Forssk and its biological activity

In this study, a response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the best combination for acid degradation parameters to reduce the viscosity of Plantago ovata Forssk seed polysaccharide (POFP). Then, the two major homogeneous polysaccharides (AH-POFP1 and AH-POFP3) were obtained by DEAE-650 M and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The apparent structure of the main fraction AH-POFP1 was characterized by SEM, TG and XRD, and the linkage of AH-POFP1 was determined by a combination of partial acidolysis, Smith's degradation, methylation analysis and 2D NMR analysis. Structural analysis showed that AH-POFP1 was mainly composed of xylose, with a molecular weight of 618.1 kDa, and had a backbone of 1 → 4-linked Xylp, as well as branches of T-linked Xylp, 1 → 4-linked Xylp attached to the O-2 position. The antioxidant activity assays showed that the both AH-POFP1 and AH-POFP3 possess strong scavenging radical ability. Moreover, AH-POFP1 inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, and promotes the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects. These findings may help to guide future applications of Plantago ovata Forssk in the fields of food, health care, and pharmacy.

A review of anti-tumour effects of Ganoderma lucidum in gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is the most common cancer in the world and one of the main causes of cancer-related death. Clinically, surgical excision and chemotherapy are the main treatment methods for GI cancer, which is unfortunately accompanied with serious adverse reactions and drug toxicity, bringing irreversible damage to patients and seriously affecting the quality of life. Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has a long history of medicinal and edible use in China. Its bioactive compounds mainly include polysaccharides, triterpenes, and proteins, which have potential anti-tumor activities by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and regulating autophagy. Currently, there is no in-depth review on the anti-tumor effect of G. lucidum in GI cancer. Therefore, this review is an attempt to compile the basic characteristics, anti-GI caner mechanisms, and clinical application of G. lucidum, aiming to provide a reference for further research on the role of G. lucidum in the prevention and treatment of GI cancer from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine.

The antitumor effect of mycelia extract of the medicinal macrofungus Inonotus hispidus on HeLa cells via the mitochondrial-mediated pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inonotus hispidus (I. hispidus), known as shaggy bracket, has been used extensively in China and some East Asian countries as a traditional medicinal macrofungus to treat difficult diseases, such as diabetes, gout, and arthritis. Modern pharmacological research has shown that I. hispidus has an important application value in antitumor treatment. However, the main anti-cervical cancer activity substances from its mycelia and its mechanisms are still not clear.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To enrich the germplasm resources of I. hispidus, to reveal the antitumor activity of the extract from the mycelium of I. hispidus against cervical cancer, and to preliminarily analyze its action mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The SH3 strain was isolated from wild fruiting bodies and identified by morphology and molecular biology. The antitumor active component from the mycelium of I. hispidus was isolated and identified with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution, apoptotic cell detection, and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometer. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was assessed by Western blotting. The inhibition of tumor growth in vivo was assessed by a mouse xenograft model.

RESULTS

The SH3 strain was isolated and identified as a new strain of I. hispidus. The antitumor active component containing cyclic peptides from the mycelium of I. hispidus (CCM) was isolated for the first time. In addition, we found that CCM had a strong inhibitory effect on HeLa proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, the CCM blocked the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and eventually promoted apoptosis of HeLa cells through the mitochondria-mediated pathway by upregulating the expression levels of Bax, cytochrome C, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 and downregulating the expression level of Bcl-2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study not only enriches the strain resources of I. hispidus but also confirms that the mycelium of this strain has active components that can inhibit cervical cancer. This is highly significant for the development of active drugs and drug lead molecules for treating cervical cancer.

Application of natural polysaccharides and their novel dosage forms in gynecological cancers: therapeutic implications from the diversity potential of natural compounds

Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases. Globally, the number of cancers is nearly 10 million per year. Gynecological cancers (for instance, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial), relying on hidden diseases, misdiagnoses, and high recurrence rates, have seriously affected women's health. Traditional chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy effectively improve the prognosis of gynecological cancer patients. However, with the emergence of adverse reactions and drug resistance, leading to the occurrence of complications and poor compliance of patients, we have to focus on the new treatment direction of gynecological cancers. Because of the potential effects of natural drugs in regulating immune function, protecting against oxidative damage, and improving the energy metabolism of the body, natural compounds represented by polysaccharides have also attracted extensive attention in recent years. More and more studies have shown that polysaccharides are effective in the treatment of various tumors and in reducing the burden of metastasis. In this review, we focus on the positive role of natural polysaccharides in the treatment of gynecologic cancer, the molecular mechanisms, and the available evidence, and discuss the potential use of new dosage forms derived from polysaccharides in gynecologic cancer. This study covers the most comprehensive discussion on applying natural polysaccharides and their novel preparations in gynecological cancers. By providing complete and valuable sources of information, we hope to promote more effective treatment solutions for clinical diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers.

Alpha-ketoglutarate ameliorates induced premature ovarian insufficiency in rats by inhibiting apoptosis and upregulating glycolysis

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the effects of alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG) treatment on the ovarian morphology and ovarian reserve function of rats with cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)?

DESIGN

Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 10) and a POI group (n = 20). Cyclophosphamide was administered for 2 weeks to induce POI. The POI group was then divided into two groups: a CTX-POI group (n = 10), administered normal saline, and a CTX-POI + α-KG group (n = 10), administered α-KG 250 mg/kg per day for 21 days. Body mass and fertility was assessed at the end of the study. Serum samples were collected for hormone concentration measurement, and biochemical, histopathological, TUNEL, immunohistochemical and glycolytic pathway analyses were conducted for each group.

RESULTS

The α-KG treatment increased body mass and ovarian index of rats, partially normalized their disrupted estrous cycles, prevented follicular loss, restored ovarian reserve, and increased pregnancy rate and litter sizes of rats with POI. It significantly reduced serum concentration of FSH (P < 0.001), increased that of oestradiol (P<0.001) and reduced apoptosis of granulosa cells (P = 0.0003). Moreover, α-KG increased concentrations of lactate (P = 0.015) and ATP (P = 0.025), reduced that of pyruvate (P<0.001) and increased expression of rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis in the ovary.

CONCLUSIONS

α-KG treatment ameliorates the deleterious effects of CTX on the fertility of female rats, possibly by reducing the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and restoring glycolysis.

Exploring the Bioactive Mycocompounds (Fungal Compounds) of Selected Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Potentials against HPV Infection and Associated Cancer in Humans

Medicinal mushrooms have been used as a medicinal tool for many centuries and, nowadays, are used in the prevention and therapy of various diseases, including as an adjunct to cancer treatment. It is estimated that 14-16% of global cancer cases are caused by infectious events; one well-known infectious agent that leads to cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is responsible for more than 99.7% of cervical cancer cases and also may play a role in vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, rectal, and oropharyngeal carcinogenesis. Coriolus versicolor, a basidiomycetes class mushroom, consists of glycoproteins called polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP), which are mainly responsible for its effectiveness in the fight against a variety of cancers. Its beneficial effect lies in its ability to arrest different phases of the cell cycle, immunomodulation or induction of apoptosis. Coriolus versicolor extractcan reduces BCL-2 expression or increases the expression of p53 tumour suppressor genes in breast tumour cell lines. Inhibition of proliferation was also demonstrated with HeLa cells, while cervical cytology abnormalities improved in patients who locally applied Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel. Coriolus versicolor extract itself, and also its combination with another medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, leads to improved HPV clearance in HPV cervical or oral-positive patients. Medicinal mushrooms can also increase the effectiveness of vaccination. This review considers the use of medicinal mushrooms as a suitable adjunct to the treatment of many cancers or precanceroses, including those caused by the HPV virus.

Extraction, purification, structure, modification, and biological activity of traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides: A review

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), as the unique natural resource, are rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, proteins, amino acid, fats, vitamins, and other components. Hence, TCM have high medical and nutritional values. Polysaccharides are one of the most important active components in TCM. Growing reports have indicated that TCM polysaccharides (TCMPs) have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-aging, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and other activities. Hence, the research progresses and future prospects of TCMPs must be systematically reviewed to promote their better understanding. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive and systematic recombinant information on the extraction, purification, structure, chemical modification, biological activities, and potential mechanism of TCMPs to support their therapeutic effects and health functions. The findings provide new valuable insights and theoretical basis for future research and development of TCMPs.

Research Progress on the Anticancer Activities and Mechanisms of Polysaccharides From Ganoderma

Cancer ranks as a primary reason for death worldwide. Conventional anticancer therapies can cause severe side effects, and thus natural products may be promising drug candidates for cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence has verified the prominent anticancer properties of Ganoderma polysaccharides, suggesting that Ganoderma polysaccharides may be effective chemopreventive agents of natural origin. Based on their abilities to prevent cancer development by regulating the DNA damage response, cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, host immunity, gut microbiota and therapeutic sensitivity, there has been increasing interest in elucidating the clinical implication of Ganoderma polysaccharides in cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize recent findings pertaining to the roles of bioactive polysaccharides from Ganoderma in cancer pathogenesis, discuss the multifarious mechanisms involved and propose future directions for research. A more sophisticated understanding of the anticancer benefits of Ganoderma polysaccharides will be helpful for improving current treatments and developing novel therapeutic interventions for human malignancies.

The Pharmacological Rationales and Molecular Mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides for the Therapeutic Applications of Multiple Diseases

As a versatile Chinese herb, Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst (G. lucidum) has been applied to treat multiple diseases in clinics and improve the quality of life of patients. Among all of its extracts, the main bioactive components are G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs), which possess many therapeutic effects, such as antitumor, immunoregulatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and neuroprotection activities. This review briefly summarized the recent studies of the pharmacological rationales of GLPs and their underlying molecular signaling transmission mechanisms in treating diseases. Until now, the clear mechanisms of GLPs for treating diseases have not been reported. In this review, we used the keywords of "Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides" and "tumor" to search in PubMed (years of 1992-2020), then screened and obtained 160 targets of antitumor activities in the literatures. The network pharmacology and mechanism framework were employed in this study as powerful approaches to systematically analyze the complicated potential antitumor mechanisms and targets of GLPs in cancer. We then found that there are 69 targets and 21 network pathways in "Pathways in cancer". Besides, we summarized the effects of GLPs and the models and methods used in the research of GLPs. In conclusion, GLPs have been studied extensively, but more in-depth research is still needed to determine the exact mechanisms and pathways. Therefore, this review might provide new insights into the vital targets and pathways for researchers to study the pharmacological mechanisms of GLPs for the treatment of diseases.

Differences in Antioxidants, Polyphenols, Protein Digestibility and Nutritional Profile between Ganoderma lingzhi from Industrial Crops in Asia and Ganoderma lucidum from Cultivation and Iberian Origin

Carpophores of Ganoderma lingzhi (GZ) from industrial crops in China were analysed and compared with carpophores of three Iberian strains of cultivated Ganoderma lucidum (GL) (Aveiro, Madrid, Palencia) previously genetically characterized. The genetic determination of all the fungi in the study coincided with the identification provided by the companies and entities that supplied the samples. Cultivation time ranged between 107 and 141 days. The analysis of total phenol content showed to be 56.8% higher for GL from Palencia than for GZ. Intraspecific variation was a maximum of 56% from GL. The content of antioxidants, both intraspecific and interspecific, was found to be strain-dependent with a maximum variation of 78.5%. The nutritional analysis shows that there are differences in dietary fiber, protein, ash and sodium content between GL and GZ. In fatty acids analysis, only trans fatty acids showed significant differences, being higher in GL. Protein profile and digestibility of GZ and GL-Madrid mushroom proteins were evaluated by digestion with simulated gastric fluid and were different. The two species were perfectly differentiated according to their protein profile. These results should be considered for nutritional and industrial applications.

The structural characteristic of acidic-hydrolyzed corn silk polysaccharides and its protection on the H2O2-injured intestinal epithelial cells

This work aims to describe the purification and characterization of acidic-hydrolyzed corn silk polysaccharides (AH-CSP) and evaluate their protection on the H₂O₂-injured intestinalepithelial cells (IEC-6). Two fractions named AHP-1 and AHP-2 were obtained from AH-CSP, and physicochemical properties of them were investigated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), gas chromatography (GC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and Congo red test. Results showed that AHP-1 (2.80 × 10⁴ Da) and AHP-2 (1.25 × 10⁴ Da) were consisted of xylose, mannose, galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, and glucose. AHP-1 and AHP-2 had strong scavenging activities on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-Azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and OH· free radicals. Furthermore, pretreatment with AHP-2 could protect the H₂O₂-injured IEC-6 cells by effectively scavenging the overproduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulating of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)/ nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signal pathway.

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Enzymatic Hydrolysate Suppresses the Growth of Human Colon Cancer Cells via Inducing Apoptosis

Ganoderma lucidum is a popular traditional Chinese medicine used in China to improve health. Previous researches have revealed that the polysaccharide from G. lucidum could exert diversity activities, including immunomodulation, antioxidant, and antitumor effects. However, the effect of enzymatically hydrolyzed G. lucidum polysaccharide (EGLP) in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression remains unknown. The present research aimed to investigate the antitumor mechanism of EGLP in human colon cancer cells. For this purpose, the cytotoxic effects of EGLP were measured by the (3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) method. The apoptosis was evoked upon EGLP treatment, which was assayed using flow cytometry. The results indicated that EGLP may induce apoptosis in human colon cancer cell (HCT-116) cells via the upregulation of BCL-2 associated X protein (Bax), phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (P-ERK), and cleaved caspase-3 expression and downregulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), phospho-serine/threonine kinase 1 (p-Akt1), and cyclo-oxygen-ase (COX-2) expression. The obtained findings indicated EGLP as a new therapeutic agent in fighting CRC.