Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide inhibits prostate cancer cell migration via the protein arginine methyltransferase 6 signaling pathway

Exploring the anti-cancer potential of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) and their versatile role in enhancing drug delivery systems: a multifaceted approach to combat cancer

There has been a growing global interest in the potential health benefits of edible natural bioactive products in recent years. Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom, has gained attention for its decadent array of therapeutic and pharmaceutical compounds. Notably, G. lucidum exhibits significant anti-cancer effects against various cancer types. Polysaccharides, a prominent component in G. lucidum, are pivotal in conferring its diverse biological and medicinal properties. The primary focus of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer activities of G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs), with particular attention to their potential to mitigate chemotherapy-associated toxicity and enhance targeted drug delivery. Our findings reveal that GLPs exhibit anti-cancer effects through diverse mechanisms, including cytotoxicity, antioxidative properties, apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and anti-proliferative effects. Furthermore, the potential of GLPs-based nanoparticles (NPs) as delivery vehicles for bioactive constituents was explored. These GLPs-based NPs are designed to target various cancer tissues, enhancing the biological activity of encapsulated compounds. As such, GLPs derived from G. lucidum represent a promising avenue for inhibiting cancer progression, minimizing chemotherapy-related side effects, and supporting their utilization in combination therapies as natural adjuncts.

Ganoderma lucidum methanolic extract as a potent phytoconstituent: characterization, in-vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity

Ganoderma lucidum methanolic extract (GLME) has attracted tremendous attention due to its exceptional antimicrobial and anticancer properties that can be delicately tuned by controlling the initial extraction's content and concentration. Herein, we detailed the characterization, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic performance of GLME as a potential multi-functional therapeutic agent. Accordingly, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, and HPLC analyses were employed to assess the samples, followed by disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods to test its antibacterial effects against four Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, viz., Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MTT assay was applied to determine the cytotoxic activity of GLME against PDL and Hek-293 normal cell lines and MCF-7 and K-562 cancer cell lines. The IC50 values of 598 µg mL-1 and 291 µg mL-1 were obtained for MCF-7 and K-562 cancer cell lines, which confirmed the stronger anticancer activity of the GLME against blood cancer cells than breast cancer cells. This is while the IC50 of normal Hek-293 cells is 751 µg mL-1, and the lowest toxicity was observed for normal PDL cells with more than 57% survival at a concentration of 3000 µg mL-1. The results showed that the antibacterial property of this product against E.coli bacteria was higher than streptomycin, so the zone of inhibition was observed as 44 ± 0.09 mm and 30 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. These data provide valuable insights into the therapeutic usage of GLME for treating breast and blood cancers. This work is motivated by research studies looking for pharmacological products to address chronic and acute diseases, where further resources and studies are required to explore such products' adverse effects and toxicity.

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.

Narrative Review: Bioactive Potential of Various Mushrooms as the Treasure of Versatile Therapeutic Natural Product

Mushrooms have remained an eternal part of traditional cuisines due to their beneficial health potential and have long been recognized as a folk medicine for their broad spectrum of nutraceuticals, as well as therapeutic and prophylactic uses. Nowadays, they have been extensively investigated to explain the chemical nature and mechanisms of action of their biomedicine and nutraceuticals capacity. Mushrooms belong to the astounding dominion of Fungi and are known as a macrofungus. Significant health benefits of mushrooms, including antiviral, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antifungal, wound healing, anticancer, immunomodulating, antioxidant, radical scavenging, detoxification, hepatoprotective cardiovascular, anti-hypercholesterolemia, and anti-diabetic effects, etc., have been reported around the globe and have attracted significant interests of its further exploration in commercial sectors. They can function as functional foods, help in the treatment and therapeutic interventions of sub-optimal health states, and prevent some consequences of life-threatening diseases. Mushrooms mainly contained low and high molecular weight polysaccharides, fatty acids, lectins, and glucans responsible for their therapeutic action. Due to the large varieties of mushrooms present, it becomes challenging to identify chemical components present in them and their beneficial action. This article highlights such therapeutic activities with their active ingredients for mushrooms.

Antimetastatic Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Peptide on B16-F10-luc-G5 Melanoma Mice With Sleep Fragmentation

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) polysaccharide peptide (GL-pp) is a component of the globally acknowledged traditional Chinese medicine Ganoderma lucidum; Ganoderma lucidum is known for its sedative, hypnotic, immune regulatory, antitumor, and other pharmacological effects. In recent years, sleep disorders have been linked to many diseases and human body disorders, including cancer. Some experimental studies in mice found that sleep fragmentation could promote tumor development and progression. However, effects on GL-pp on tumor metastasis under circumstances of sleep disorders have rarely been studied. Thus, in this study, we used mice with sleep fragmentation (SF) bearing B16-F10-luc-G5 melanoma tumors to investigate the effect of SF on melanoma metastasis. Furthermore, we investigated the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of GL-pp (80 mg/kg) in mice suffering from SF and bearing B16-F10-luc-G5. Then, whole proteomics was used to analyze the differences in protein expression in the lung tissue between SF mice bearing B16-F10-luc-G5 with and without GL-pp administration. High-throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA was also used to analyze the impact of GL-pp on the gut microbiota composition in SF mice bearing B16-F10-luc-G5. Last, the effects of GL-pp on macrophage polarization and TNF-α serum levels were detected. Collectively, we found that SF significantly facilitated the B16-F10-luc-G5 melanoma tumor metastasis in mice, while GL-pp significantly reduced B16-F10-luc-G5 melanoma tumor metastasis under the condition of SF, in which proteomics and gut microbiota had been changed greatly.

Macrofungi as a Nutraceutical Source: Promising Bioactive Compounds and Market Value

Macrofungi production and economic value have been increasing globally. The demand for macrofungi has expanded rapidly owing to their popularity among consumers, pleasant taste, and unique flavors. The presence of high quality proteins, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, triterpene sterols, and secondary metabolites makes macrofungi an important commodity. Macrofungi are well known for their ability to protect from or cure various health problems, such as immunodeficiency, cancer, inflammation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity. Many studies have demonstrated their medicinal properties, supported by both in vivo and in vitro experimental studies, as well as clinical trials. Numerous bioactive compounds isolated from mushrooms, such as polysaccharides, proteins, fats, phenolic compounds, and vitamins, possess strong bioactivities. Consequently, they can be considered as an important source of nutraceuticals. Numerous edible mushrooms have been studied for their bioactivities, but only a few species have made it to the market. Many species remain to be explored. The converging trends and popularity of eastern herbal medicines, natural/organic food product preference, gut-healthy products, and positive outlook towards sports nutrition are supporting the growth in the medicinal mushroom market. The consumption of medicinal mushrooms as functional food or dietary supplement is expected to markedly increase in the future. The global medicinal mushroom market size is projected to increase by USD 13.88 billion from 2018 to 2022. The global market values of promising bioactive compounds, such as lentinan and lovastatin, are also expected to rise. With such a market growth, mushroom nutraceuticals hold to be very promising in the years to come.

Dysregulation of protein argininemethyltransferase in the pathogenesis of cancerpy

Arginine methylation is considered to be one of the most permanent and one of the most frequent post-translational modifications. The reaction of transferring a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to arginine residue is catalyzed by aginine methyltransferase (PRMT). In humans there are nine members of the PRMT family, named in order of discovery of PRMT1- PRMT9. Arginine methyltransferases were divided into three classes: I, II, III, with regard to the product of the catalyzed reaction. The products of their activity are, respectively, the following: asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA) and monomethylarginine (MMA). These modifications significantly affect the chromatin functions; therefore, they can act as co-activators or suppressors of the transcription process. Arginine methylation plays a crucial role in many biological processes in a human organism. Among others, it participates in signal transduction control, mRNA splicing and the regulation of basic cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. There is increasing evidence that dysregulation of PRMT levels may lead to the cancer transformation of cells. The correlation between increased PRMT level and cancer has been demonstrated in the following: breast, ovary, lung and colorectal cancer. The activity of arginine methyltransferase can be regulated by small molecule PRMT inhibitors. To date, three substances that inhibit PRMT activity have been evaluated in clinical trials and exhibit anti-tumor activity against hematological cancer. It is believed that the use of specific PRMT inhibitors may become a new, effective and safe treatment of oncological diseases.

Pharmacological Effects of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Seed Polysaccharides: GSF3 Inhibits PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cell Growth through Immunotherapy In Vitro

The inhibitory effects of purified fractions isolated from guava seed polysaccharides (GSPS) including guava seed polysaccharide fraction 1 (GSF1), GSF2, and GSF3 on prostate cancer cells remain unclear. To clarify the anti-prostate cancer potential, GSPS, GSF1, GSF2, and GSF3 were isolated using Sepharose 6B gel filtration chromatography to assay their inhibitory effects on prostate PC-3 cell growth with direct action or indirect immunotherapy using either splenocyte conditioned media (SCM) or macrophage conditioned media (MCM). Correlations between cytokine profiles in the conditioned media and pro-apoptotic gene expression levels in the corresponding treated PC-3 cells were analyzed. Results showed that GSPS, GSF1, GSF2, and GSF3, particularly GSF3, through either direct action or indirect treatments using SCM or MCM, significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited PC-3 cell growth. GSF3 direct treatments increased pro-apoptotic Bax/anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 mRNA expression ratios in corresponding treated PC-3 cells. Either SCM or MCM cultured with GSF3 increased Fas mRNA expression levels in corresponding treated PC-3 cells. Both Th2-polarized and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 either secreted in SCM or MCM were positively correlated with Fas mRNA expression levels in corresponding treated PC-3 cells. Our results suggest that GSF3 is a potent biological response modifier to decrease PC-3 cell growth through inducing apoptosis.

High-Pressure Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Ganoderma lucidum Fruiting Body and Their Anti-hepatoma Effect Associated With the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway

As a noted medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has been reported to have a number of pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor and liver protection. Compared with the common ethanol reflux method, supercritical CO₂ extraction has obvious advantages in obtaining antitumor extracts from G. lucidum fruiting body such as short extraction time, low temperature and no solvent residue. However, Using high-pressure supercritical CO₂ without entrainer to obtain the antitumor extracts from G. lucidum and studying their anti-hepatoma effect have not been reported. In this study, high-pressure supercritical CO₂ extracts obtained under 65, 85, and 105 MPa pressure named as G65, G85, G105 respectively and ethanol reflux extract (GLE) were used to investigate their anti-hepatoma activity and the underlying molecular mechanism. The total triterpenoid content of G85 was significantly higher than that of G65 and GLE, but did not differ significantly from that of G105 by UV and high-performance liquid chromatography. GLE, G65, and G85 could inhibit cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle in G2/M phase, and induce apoptosis in two liver cancer cell lines (QGY7703 and SK-Hep1), of which G85 had the strongest effect. The results showed that the potency of their cytotoxicity of the high-pressure supercritical CO₂ extracts on human hepatoma carcinoma cells in vitro was consistent with their total triterpenoid content. G85 exhibited significant anti-hepatoma effect with low toxicity In vivo. Further mechanistic investigation revealed that the anti-tumor effect of these extracts was associated with their inhibition of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that the high-pressure supercritical CO₂ extraction of G. lucidum fruiting body can be used to obtain a triterpenoid-rich anti-tumor agent, which may have potential clinical significance for the treatment of human hepatoma.

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide (GLP) Inhibited the Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma via the miR-188/BCL9/β-Catenin Pathway

Objective. The effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP) on the proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells (HSC-3) were investigated in this study. Methods. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells (HSC-3) were cultured in vitro and were treated with different concentrations of GLP. CCK-8 assay and scratch assay were then used to detect the inhibitory effect of GLP on these cells. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to measure the expression changes of the genes involved in the miR-188 and β-catenin signaling pathways. Results. GLP had significant cytotoxicity to HSC-3 cells and was capable of inhibiting the proliferation and migration of HSC-3 cells. GLP upregulated the expression of miR-188 in HSC-3 cells and via which inhibited the proliferation and migration of HSC-3 cells. In addition, miR-188 inhibited the activation of the β-catenin signaling pathway through its target BCL9. Conclusions. GLP inhibited the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells (HSC-3) by regulating the miR-188/BCL9/β-catenin signaling pathway. The results in this study provided a theoretical basis for the treatment of OSCC with GLP.

Functional Analysis of Macromolecular Polysaccharides: Whitening, Moisturizing, Anti-Oxidant, and Cell Proliferation

In this research we utilized extracts from two different nature products, Achatina fulica and Heimiella retispora, to enhance skin moisturizing abilities, anti-oxidative properties, and cell proliferations. It was observed that two polysaccharides with anti-oxidative effects by chelating metal ions reduced oxidative stress and further blocked the formation of reactive oxygen species syntheses. To detect whether there was a similar effect within the cellular mechanism, a flow cytometry was applied for sensing the oxidative level and it was found that both materials inhibited the endogenous oxidative stress, which was induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Both polysaccharides also stimulated the production of collagen to maintain skin tightness and a moisturizing effect. In summary, we developed two macromolecular polysaccharides with potential applications in dermal care.

Ganoderan (GDN) Regulates The Growth, Motility And Apoptosis Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Through ERK Signaling Pathway In Vitro And In Vivo

Background

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide. About 90% of lung cancers are considered non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ganoderan (GDN) is one of the components of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides. Ganoderan A (GDNA), Ganoderan B (GDNB) and Ganoderan C (GDNC) were three polysaccharides isolated from the Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body.

Methods

Cell growth was measured by Cell Counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, while cell motility was measured by transwell assay and wound healing assay. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL staining, and protein expression was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Previous studies have shown that GDNB has the effects of hyperglycemic and kidney protection. However, the role of GDNB in tumors is currently unknown. This study elaborated the role of GDNB in NSCLC and its underlying molecular mechanisms. The results exerted that GDNB inhibited the growth of H510A and A549 cells by suppressing the expression of ki67 and PCNA. Besides, transwell assay and wound healing assay showed that GDNB inhibited invasion and migration of H510A and A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, Western blotting also showed that GDNB downregulated the levels of N-cadherin, vimentin and Snail in H510A and A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, while it upregulated the level of E-cadherin. Additionally, GDNB also promoted apoptosis of H510A and A549 cells by regulating the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP. Animal experiments revealed that GDNB inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and induced apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo. Mechanically, GDNB suppressed the expression of Ras and c-Myc, and decreased the phosphorylation levels of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2.

Conclusion

Collectively, all data suggest that GDNB regulates the growth, motility and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells through ERK signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 on Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides-induced apoptosis of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) has been demonstrated to elicit antitumorigenic and proapoptotic activities in cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of GLP have yet to be elucidated. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) has been reported to exert proapoptotic effects and therefore, may serve an important role in cancer prevention. The present study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which GLP stimulates anticancer activity in human prostate cancer (PCa) PC-3 cells. In addition, the role of NAG-1 in GLP-induced cancer inhibition was examined. The results of the present study demonstrated that GLP significantly inhibited cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner in PC-3 cells. Flow cytometry indicated that GLP induced late apoptosis, which was accompanied by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP) cleavage, and inhibition of pro-caspase-3, -6 and -9 protein expression. Furthermore, it was observed that the expression levels of NAG-1, and its transcriptional factor early growth response-1, were upregulated in a time- and dose-dependent manner upon GLP treatment. The results of a luciferase assay demonstrated that GLP induced the promoter activity of NAG-1, thus indicating that NAG-1 may be transcriptionally regulated by GLP. The secretion of NAG-1 proteins into the cell culture medium was also upregulated upon GLP treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of NAG-1 expression by small interfering RNA significantly, but not completely, prevented GLP-induced apoptosis, and reversed the effects of GLP on PARP and pro-caspase expression. It was further demonstrated that GLP inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase B and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling in PC-3 cells. The present study is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to report that GLP may induce apoptosis of PCa cells, which is partially mediated through NAG-1 induction. The present findings may be helpful in elucidating the anticancer mechanisms of GLP through NAG-1 induction for its chemopreventive potential in PCa.