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Cytotoxic activity of Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese isolated from the Lower Volta River Basin of Ghana against human prostate carcinoma (PC-3), leukemic T cell (Jurkat), and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC)-derived acute leukemia (PMDC05) cell lines

Summary

Researchers tested a fungus called Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese from Ghana’s Lower Volta River to see if it could kill cancer cells. They found that extracts from this fungus could effectively suppress the growth of three types of human cancer cells—prostate cancer, T-cell leukemia, and a rare dendritic cell leukemia—without harming normal liver cells. The most promising components were found in certain fractions of the extract, suggesting this natural fungus could potentially be developed into new cancer treatments.

Background

Ganoderma is a medically important fungus genus containing at least 80 species with potential anticancer properties. Many native Ganoderma isolates have not been properly evaluated for their anticancer potential. This study assessed the cytotoxic activity of Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese mycelial biomass isolated from the Lower Volta River Basin of Ghana.

Objective

To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese mycelial biomass against human prostate carcinoma (PC-3), leukemic T cell (Jurkat), and plasmacytoid dendritic cell-derived acute leukemia (PMDC05) cell lines using the MTT assay and to determine the phylogenetic position of the native Ghanaian isolate.

Results

The isolate was identified as Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese species complex. Fraction GL-C2 significantly inhibited the proliferation of all three cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 17.09 ± 0.86 μg/mL (Jurkat), 21.31 ± 2.40 μg/mL (PMDC05), and 27.73 ± 5.25 μg/mL (PC-3), compared to Chang liver cells (IC50 = 75.41 ± 1.95 μg/mL). Subfraction GL-C2-C1 showed strong activity against PC-3 with IC50 = 3.24 ± 0.10 μg/mL, comparable to curcumin control.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates for the first time that specific constituents of Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese are selectively cytotoxic to human cancer cell lines, suggesting potential efficacy in treating prostate carcinoma and pDC-derived leukemias. Future studies should isolate and characterize the biologically active molecules responsible for these anticancer effects.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:In vitro Cell Culture Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40644432, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327087
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