Suppression of tumor growth by Pleurotus ferulae ethanol extract through induction of cell apoptosis, and inhibition of cell proliferation and migration

Preparation of Phosphorylated Auricularia cornea var. Li. Polysaccharide Liposome Gel and Analysis of Its In Vitro Antioxidant Activity

In this study, Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharides (ACP) were used as the research object to prepare liposome gel and determine its antioxidant activity in vitro. Phosphorylated Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharides (P-ACP) were prepared via the phosphorylation of ACP by the phosphate method. Additionally, phosphorylated Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharide liposomes (P-ACPL) were prepared using a reverse evaporation method. Finally, phosphorylated Auricularia cornea var. Li. polysaccharide liposome gel (P-ACPLG) was prepared by dispersing the P-ACPL in the gel matrix. The results show that the phosphorylation of the P-ACP was 15.51%, the containment rate of the P-ACPL was 84.50%, the average particle size was (192.2 ± 3.3) nm, and the particle size distribution map had a homogeneous peak, resulting in the particle dispersion being uniform and the polydispersion index (PDI) being 0.134 ± 0.021. The average Zeta potential was (-33.4 ± 0.57) mV. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant activity of the P-ACPL was slightly higher than that of the ACP and P-ACP. After the P-ACPL was emulsified into P-ACPLG, the DPPH, hydroxyl radical clearance, and reducing the ability of P-ACPL remained unchanged. In general, the P-ACPLG prepared in this study has good antioxidant activity in vitro and can retain the antioxidant activity of P-ACPL in vitro well.

Overexpressing Carotenoid Biosynthetic Genes in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Improved Intracellular Pigments and Antioxidant Activity, Which Can Decrease the Viability and Proliferation of Lung Cancer Cells In Vitro

In the antioxidant system in cyanobacteria, non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as carotenoids, are considered good candidates for coping with oxidative stress, particularly light stress, and pharmaceutical therapeutic applications. A significant amount of carotenoid accumulation has been recently improved by genetic engineering. In this study, to achieve higher carotenoid production with higher antioxidant activity, we successfully constructed five Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 strains overexpressing (OX) native genes related to the carotenoids biosynthetic pathway, including OX_CrtB, OX_CrtP, OX_CrtQ, OX_CrtO, and OX_CrtR. All of the engineered strains maintained a significant quantity of myxoxanthophyll, while increasing zeaxanthin and echinenone accumulation. In addition, higher components of zeaxanthin and echinenone were noted in all OX strains, ranging from 14 to 19% and from 17 to 22%, respectively. It is worth noting that the enhanced echinenone component responded to low light conditions, while the increased β-carotene component contributed to a high light stress response. According to the higher antioxidant activity of all OX strains, the carotenoid extracts presented lower IC₅₀ in lung cancer cell lines H460 and A549, with values less than 157 and 139 µg/mL, respectively, when compared with those of WTc, particularly OX_CrtR and OX_CrtQ. A higher proportion of zeaxanthin and β-carotene in OX_CrtR and OX_CrtQ, respectively, may considerably contribute to the ability to treat lung cancer cells with antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects.

Mycochemistry, antioxidant content, and antioxidant potentiality of the ethanolic extract of Pleurotus florida and its anti-cancerous effect on HeLa cancer cell line, and antitumor effect on HeLa-implanted mice

Objectives

Cervical cancer is increasing worldwide and is becoming resistant to the existing drugs in clinical practice. Here, ethanolic extract of fruit body of Pleurotus florida was evaluated as antioxidant, anticancer agent against HeLa cell lines and anti-tumor against cervical cancer in mice model.

Methods

Fruit bodies of P. florida in 90% ethanol, and the P. florida ethanolic extract (PFEE) was subsequently investigated for its antioxidant content and activity, anticancer properties against the cervical cancer cell line, HeLa, and antitumor activity against HeLa implanted mice.

Results

The antioxidant activity bioassay showed that the IC50 of PFEE was 41.17 ± 1.42a μg/ml. The cytotoxicity assay revealed that PFEE caused inhibition of cell proliferation. At the highest dose (1,250 μg/ml) after 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h of treatment, the percentages of cell growth inhibition were 75.22%, 77.77%, and 84.65%, respectively. It revealed that PFEE-treated cells became rounded and the nuclei became fragmented. PFEE induced intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential. PFEE also led to an up regulation of the apoptotic genes for caspases-3, -9, and Bax, whereas Bcl-2 gene was down regulated, and it also promoted the expression of p53. Cell cycle analysis revealed that cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 checkpoint. PFEE suppressed metastasis and colonization. At a dosage of PFEE of 50 mg/kg of body weight, a 66.72% reduction in the size of tumors and an 87.44% reduction in the tumor weight were observed in mice.

Conclusions

It has demonstrated that PFEE is a highly potent anti-cervical cancer agent in vitro and in vivo.

De Novo Assembly Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Preliminary Molecular Mechanism of Primordium Formation in Pleurotus tuoliensis

Primordium formation is extremely important for yield of Pleurotus tuoliensis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying primordium formation is largely unknown. This study investigated the transcriptional properties during primordium formation of P. tuoliensis by comparing transcriptome. Clean reads were assembled into 57,075 transcripts and 6874 unigenes. A total of 1397 differentially expressed genes were identified (26 DEGs altered in all stages). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were involved in “oxidoreductase activity”, “glycolysis/gluconeogenesis”, “MAPK signaling pathways”, and “ribosomes”. Our results support further understanding of the transcriptional changes and molecular processes underlying primordium formation and differentiation of P. tuoliensis.

Mushroom Polysaccharide-Assisted Anticarcinogenic Mycotherapy: Reviewing Its Clinical Trials

Of the biologically active components, polysaccharides play a crucial role of high medical and pharmaceutical significance. Mushrooms have existed for a long time, dating back to the time of the Ancient Egypt and continue to be well explored globally and experimented with in research as well as in national and international cuisines. Mushroom polysaccharides have slowly become valuable sources of nutraceuticals which have been able to treat various diseases and disorders in humans. The application of mushroom polysaccharides for anticancer mycotherapy is what is being reviewed herein. The widespread health benefits of mushroom polysaccharides have been highlighted and the significant inputs of mushroom-based polysaccharides in anticancer clinical trials have been presented. The challenges and limitation of mushroom polysaccharides into this application and the gaps in the current application areas that could be the future direction have been discussed.

GC-MS Analysis of Potentially Volatile Compounds of Pleurotus ostreatus Polar Extract: In vitro Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Immunomodulatory, and Antioxidant Activities

One strategy to manage resistant pathogens and develop potential anticancer drugs is the search for new, promising, and cost-effective medicinal benefits in the field of bioactive metabolites derived from mushrooms. In the current study, Egyptian cultivated Pleurotus ostreatus fruiting bodies polar extract was prepared to evaluate its antimicrobial activities as well as its cytotoxic effect on various cancer cell lines. The Pleurotus ostreatus polar extract (PoPE) was characterized by its phenolic and flavonoid content. The phenolics and flavonoids of PoPE were 6.94 and 0.15 mg/g, respectively. P. ostreatus polar extract showed potent antimicrobial activity against four pathogens, including Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, and Escherichia coli. PoPE was found to inhibit Fusarium oxysporum (47%), Fusarium solani (28%) as well as Rhizoctonia solani (21%). PoPE was found to be 13 times more selective and toxic to MCF-7 cells than Vero normal cells, with the lowest IC50 value (4.5 μg/mL), so they were selected to examine the potential cytotoxic effects of PoPE. In MCF-7 cells, PoPE appeared to promote cell cycle arrest in the sub-G1 stage, as well as apoptosis. It significantly increased TNF-α production while decreasing IL-6 levels. PoPE’s total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxide, and glutathione reductase activity were recorded 0.14 ± 0.02 mM/L, 15.60 ± 0.015 nmol/mL, and 9.50 ± 1.30 U/L, respectively. The existence of different bioactive metabolites was investigated via GC-MS, which confirmed the presence of 15 compounds with well-known biological activity.

Circular RNA Foxo3 in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in heart transplantation: A new regulator and target

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury occurring in heart transplantation (HT) remains as a leading cause of transplant heart graft failure. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in gene regulation and diseases. However, the impact of circRNAs on I/R injury during HT remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the role of circular RNA Foxo3 (circFoxo3) in I/R injury in HT. Using an in vivo mouse HT model and an in vitro cardiomyocyte culture model, we demonstrated that circFoxo3 is significantly upregulated in I/R-injured hearts and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-damaged cardiomyocytes. Knockdown of circFoxo3 using siRNA not only reduces cell apoptosis and death, mitochondrial damage, and expression of apoptosis/death-related genes in vitro, but also protects heart grafts from prolonged cold I/R injury in HT. We also show that circFoxo3 interacts with Foxo3 proteins and inhibits the phosphorylation of Foxo3 and that it indirectly affects the expression of miR-433 and miR-136. In conclusion, circRNA is involved in I/R injury in HT and knockdown of circFoxo3 with siRNA can reduce I/R injury and improve heart graft function through interaction with Foxo3. This study highlights that circRNA is a new type of molecular regulator and a potential target for preventing I/R injury in HT.

Ergosterol peroxide from Pleurotus ferulae inhibits gastrointestinal tumor cell growth through induction of apoptosis via reactive oxygen species and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Ergosterol peroxide was purified from Pleurotus ferulae by silica gel chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and recrystallization and named PFEP, which was identified by ESI-MS and NMR. PFEP significantly inhibited the proliferation of gastrointestinal tumor cells through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis characterized by chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, PFEP activated the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway via increased ROS generation and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential to promote cytochrome c release and the activation of caspases 3 and 9 to cleave poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Caspase inhibitors and ROS scavengers partially prevented apoptosis induced by PFEP. PFEP also induced endoplasmic reticulum stress characterized by the upregulated levels of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF4 and CHOP. Importantly, PFEP suppressed tumor cell migration in vitro, inhibited CT26 tumor growth in vivo and improved the survival of tumor mice. PFEP might be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.

Non-Cytotoxic Sulfated Heterorhamnan from Gayralia brasiliensis Green Seaweed Reduces Driver Features of Melanoma Metastatic Progression

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer with high mortality owing to its fast progression and metastatic capacity. The treatments available nowadays are only palliative in advanced stages of the disease. Thus, alternative therapies for cancer treatment are in demand, and molecules from natural sources, such as polysaccharides, could represent new possible therapeutic approaches. Polysaccharides of freshwater and marine algae with biological activities, such as antitumor properties, are greatly reported in the scientific literature. In the present study, a sulfated heterorhamnan obtained from the green seaweed Gayralia brasiliensis (Gb1 fraction) was chemically characterized and its biological activities in the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line were evaluated. The Gb1 polysaccharidic fraction tested concentrations presented low or absence of cytotoxicity to B16-F10 cells and neither cell proliferation nor cell cycle were altered. Interestingly, Gb1 treatment decreased B16-F10 cells migration and invasion capabilities and CD44 labeling, showing to be a promising compound for further in vitro and in vivo antitumor studies.

Water Extract of Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae Prevents High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Inhibiting Pancreatic Lipase

Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae (PEF) is traditionally used in the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. In this study, we investigated the ability of PEF extract to prevent obesity and metabolic diseases and explored the underlying mechanism. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) containing PEF extract for 12 weeks, and their body weight, adipose tissue and liver weights, and lipid profiles and blood glucose levels, were monitored. Fecal triglyceride (TG) levels were also measured and olive oil-loading tests were performed. Furthermore, the effect of PEF extract on pancreatic lipase (PL) activity was examined in vitro. Treatment with PEF extract for 12 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the HFD-induced increases in body weight, white adipose tissue weight, liver weights, and lipid profiles, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. To assess the mechanism underlying the effect of PEF extract on obesity and diabetes, we investigated its role in inhibiting lipid absorption. Consumption of an HFD containing PEF extract significantly increased the TG level in feces compared with the controls, suggesting inhibition of TG absorption in the digestive tract. Furthermore, PEF extract suppressed the increase in serum TG levels resulting from oral administration of a lipid emulsion to mice, confirming inhibition of TG absorption. Moreover, PEF extract inhibited PL activity in vitro. Our combined results indicate that the anti-obesity and antidiabetic effect of PEF extract in mice fed an HFD may be caused by inhibition of lipid absorption as a result of reduced PL activity.

Metabolic Profiling of Pleurotus tuoliensis During Mycelium Physiological Maturation and Exploration on a Potential Indicator of Mycelial Maturation

Pleurotus tuoliensis is a valuable and rare edible fungus with extremely high nutritional and medicinal value. However, the relative immaturity of P. tuoliensis cultivation technology leads to fluctuating yields and quality. The main difficulty in P. tuoliensis cultivation is estimate of mycelial maturity. There is currently no measurable indicator that clearly characterizes the physiological maturation of mycelia. The aim of this study was to identify potential indicators of physiological maturation for P. tuoliensis mycelia by using metabolomics approach. A metabolite profiling strategy involving gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to analyze changes to extracellular metabolites in mycelia collected at mycelium physiological maturation period (MPMP) day 0, MPMP day 35 at 17°C and MPMP day 35 at 29°C. 72 differential metabolites (37.8% up-regulated and 62.2% down-regulated) were identified based on the selected criteria [variable important in projection (VIP) greater than 1.0 and p < 0.01]. Metabolic pathways enrichment analysis showed that these metabolites are involved in glycolysis, organic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), sugar metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, the pyrimidine synthesis pathway was significantly activated during mycelium physiological maturation of P. tuoliensis. The abundance of N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate (CA-asp), a component of this pathway, was significantly increased at MPMP day 35, which motivated us to explore its potential as an indicator for physiological maturation of mycelia. The content of CA-asp in mycelia changed in a consistent manner during physiological maturation. The feasibility of using CA-asp as an indicator for mycelial maturation requires further investigation.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antitumor activities of sub-fractions of wild and cultivated Pleurotus ferulae ethanol extracts

Pleurotus ferulae is an edible and medicinal mushroom with various bioactivities. Here, the ethanol extracts of wild and cultivated P. ferulae (PFEE-W and PFEE-C) and their subfractions including petroleum ether (Pe-W/Pe-C), ethyl acetate (Ea-W/Ea-C) and n-butanol (Ba-W/Ba-C) were prepared to evaluate their antioxidant and antitumor activities. Both PFEE-W and PFEE-C show the antioxidant activity and PFEE-W is stronger than PFEE-C. The antioxidant activities of their subfractions are in the following order: Ea > Ba > Pe. Moreover, PFEE-W and PFEE-C significantly inhibit the proliferation of murine melanoma B16 cells, human esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells, human gastric cancer BGC823 cells and human cervical cancer HeLa cells through induction of apoptosis, which partially mediated by reactive oxygen species. The antitumor activities of their subfractions are in the following order: Ea ≥ Pe > Ba. Pe-W shows higher antitumor activity compared with Pe-C, which might be correlated with the difference of their components identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These results suggest that both wild and cultivated P. ferulae have antioxidant and antitumor activities, and cultivated P. ferulae could be used to replace wild one in some functions.

Cultivated and wild Pleurotus ferulae ethanol extracts inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth via inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress- and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis

Pleurotus ferulae is a kind of editable mushroom and has various biological functions such as antitumor, antioxidation and immunoregulation. Wild P. ferulae was successfully domesticated but the antitumor function and mechanisms of cultivated and wild P. ferulae need to be compared and explored. Here, we prepared cultivated and wild P. ferulae ethanol extracts (PFEE-C and PFEE-W) and compared their antitumor effect on hepatocellular carcinoma. Our data showed that PFEE-C and PFEE-W significantly inhibited the growth of H22 and HepG2 cells through induction of apoptosis. PFEE-W exhibited higher antitumor activity than PFEE-C. Both PFEE-C and PFEE-W induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress characterized by the up-regulated levels of phosphorylated JNK, cleaved caspase-12 and HSP70, and mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c, which promoted the cleavage of caspase-3, -7, -9 and PARP. Moreover, PFEE-C and PFEE-W significantly increased ROS generation in H22 cells and suppressed H22 cell migration through reducing the levels of matrix metalloproteinase -2 and -9. Further, PFEE-C inhibited H22 tumor growth in mouse model and improved the survival of tumor mice. These results indicated that PFEE-C and PFEE-W could inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through ER stress- and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways.

Applicability of Plant Extracts in Preclinical Studies of Melanoma: A Systematic Review

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and arises from melanocyte gene mutation. This disease is multifactorial, but its main cause is the excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Currently, available chemotherapy has shown little expressive results, which may justify the high use of natural products to treat this cancer. We performed a systematic review to compile the results of studies carried out in murine models and investigated the effect of plant extracts on melanoma treatment. Papers were selected in MEDLINE/Pubmed and Scopus according to the PRISM statement. Search filters were developed using three parameters: plant extract, melanoma, and animal model. The 35 identified studies were all submitted to the criteria described in the ARRIVE guidelines. The different extracts showed antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity, and also proved to be effective in cell cycle modulation and apoptosis evasion. Bias analysis evidenced the absence of standardized experimental designs, as well as failures in statistical tests and in the presentation of results. The analysis of the studies suggests that the use of plant extracts is effective for the treatment of melanoma in murine models.

A Preclinical Evaluation of the Antitumor Activities of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: A Molecular Insight

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. For certain types of cancer, chemotherapy drugs have been extensively used for treatment. However, severe side effects and the development of resistance are the drawbacks of these agents. Therefore, development of new agents with no or minimal side effects is of utmost importance. In this regard, natural compounds are well recognized as drugs in several human ailments, including cancer. One class of fungi, “mushrooms,” contains numerous compounds that exhibit interesting biological activities, including antitumor activity. Many researchers, including our own group, are focusing on the anticancer potential of different mushrooms and the underlying molecular mechanism behind their action. The aim of this review is to discuss PI3K/AKT, Wnt-CTNNB1, and NF-κB signaling pathways, the occurrence of genetic alterations in them, the association of these aberrations with different human cancers and how different nodes of these pathways are targeted by various substances of mushroom origin. We have given evidence to propose the therapeutic attributes and possible mode of molecular actions of various mushroom-originated compounds. However, anticancer effects were typically demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo models and very limited number of studies have been conducted in the human population. It is our belief that this review will help the research community in designing concrete preclinical and clinical studies to test the anticancer potential of mushroom-originated compounds on different cancers harboring particular genetic alteration(s).

Anti-tumor and chemosensitization effects of Cryptotanshinone extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. on ovarian cancer cells in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cryptotanshinone, a natural compound isolated from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen), is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to treat high blood pressure in some countries. It has been shown that Cryptotanshinone induces cancer cells apoptosis and impairs cell migration and invasion. However, the antiproliferation and chemosensitization effects of Cryptotanshinone on ovarian cancer and the underlying mechanism are not fully elucidated.

AIM OF STUDY

In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of Cryptotanshinone on ovarian cancer cells and explored the underlying molecular mechanism. Additionally, the chemosensitization potential of Cryptotanshinone was evaluated in combination with cisplatin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MTT assay was used for cell viability assessment of ovarian cancer A2780 cells treated with Cryptotanshinone and/ or cisplatin. Flow cytometry was used for apoptosis analysis. Wound healing and transwell assays were used for migratory and invasive potential assessment of Cryptotanshinone-treated ovarian cancer cells. Western blot was used to investigate proteins involved in the mechanisms for metastasis and apoptosis. γH2AX immunocytochemistry was used to detect DNA damage in A2780 cells exposed to Cryptotanshinone and/or cisplatin.

RESULTS

Cryptotanshinone significantly induced ovarian cancer A2780 cells apoptosis by activating caspase cascade. Additionally, wound healing and transwell assays revealed that Cryptotanshinone could suppress migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells and dramatically inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Furthermore, Cryptotanshinone could sensitize A2780 cells to cisplatin treatment in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Our data confirmed the anti-tumor effect of Cryptotanshinone on ovarian cancer cells and provided new findings that Cryptotanshinone could sensitize ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy.

Purification, characterization and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Pleurotus ferulae

Pleurotus ferulae polysaccharides promote the maturation of dendritic cells.

The Chemical Profile of Senna velutina Leaves and Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Effects

Natural products can be a source of biomolecules with antioxidant activity which are able to prevent oxidative stress-induced diseases and show antitumor activity, making them important sources of new anticancer drug prototypes. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of an ethanol extract of Senna velutina leaves and to assess its antioxidant and cytotoxic activities in leukemic cells. The antioxidant properties were evaluated using a DPPH free radical scavenging assay and by examining the extract's inhibition of AAPH-induced lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes. Its cytotoxicity and possible mechanisms of action were assessed in Jurkat and K562 leukemic cell lines. The ethanol extract contained flavonoids, such as epigallocatechin, epicatechin, kaempferol heteroside, rutin, and dimeric and trimeric proanthocyanidin derivatives. The extract exhibited antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals and antihemolytic action, and it decreased malondialdehyde content in human erythrocytes. Furthermore, the extract also induced leukemic cell death by activating intracellular calcium and caspase-3, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential, and arresting the cell cycle in S and G2 phases. Hence, S. velutina leaf extract contains antioxidant and antileukemic biomolecules with potential applications in diseases associated with oxidative stress and in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation.

Antioxidant and antitumor effects of ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen

OBJECTIVE

This study is to investigate the antioxidant and antitumor effects of the extract fractions of the Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen.

METHODS

Four different fractions of the Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen were obtained by the extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and methanol, respectively, which were used to treat the HCT116, Caco-2, HepG2, and MFC cells. Free radical scavenging effects of the ferula fractions were deteced with the DPPH assay. Effects of the ferula fractions on the peroliferatoin of the tumor cells were assessed with the SRB assay. Apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The DPPH assay showed that the petroleum ether fraction hardly showed any antioxidant activity, while the ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and methanol fractions exhibited free radical-scavenging capacities, in a dose dependent manner. The SRB assay showed that, the proliferation of the tumor cells could be inhibited by the ferula fractions, in a dose dependent manner. However, differential effects were observed for the different fractions in different model cells. Particularly, the ethyl acetate fraction exerted the most efficient inhibiting effects on the tumor cell proliferation. In addition, the flow cytometry showed that, all the ferula fractions significantly enhanced the apoptotic process in the tumor cells, with differential enhancing capacities in different model cells.

CONCLUSION

Extract fractions of the Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen could exert antioxidant, proliferation-inhibiting, and apoptosis-enhancing effects in tumor cells. Particularly, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibits the most potent antioxidant and antitumor effects.

Changes in chemical components and cytotoxicity at different maturity stages of Pleurotus eryngii fruiting body

The present study investigated the changes of the chemical components and cytotoxicity potency at 5 developmental stages of Pleurotus eryngii fruiting body. The carbohydrate and protein contents increased along the maturity of fruiting body while fat content decreased. By comparison, the polysaccharide-protein fractions had the highest antiproliferative effect on SGC-7901 and HepG-2 cells in vitro and increasing activity with growing maturity of P. eryngii fruiting body.The maturation process increased the protein content and acid property through the enhanced relative abundance of Asp, Thr, and Glu in polysaccharide-protein fractions. Further purification and electrophoresis identified that the polysaccharide-protein PEG-1with three subunits possibly was the target cytotoxical component. Our findings proved that mature fruiting body of P. eryngii containing these polysaccharide-proteins possessed highly nutritional values and therapeutical benefits.