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Mycochemistry, antioxidant activity and anticancer potentiality of ethyl acetate extract of Daldinia eschscholtzii against A549 lung cancer cell line

Summary

Researchers studied a wild fungus called Daldinia eschscholtzii to see if it could fight lung cancer. They found that an extract from this fungus contained 28 different beneficial compounds and was effective at killing cancer cells by triggering a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death). The treatment also reduced the cancer cells’ ability to spread, and it appeared safe for normal, healthy cells. Several compounds in the extract showed promise as potential anti-cancer drugs.

Background

Fungi and mushrooms are increasingly recognized as sources of bioactive compounds with potential anticancer properties. Daldinia eschscholtzii, an Ascomycota fungus, has been studied for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, though mechanistic studies against lung cancer are limited. This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding the anticancer mechanisms of this fungal species.

Objective

To extract and characterize the bioactive compounds in Daldinia eschscholtzii ethyl acetate extract (DEAE) and evaluate its antioxidant and anticancer potential against A549 lung cancer cells. The study aimed to identify chemical compounds using LC-MS and assess drug-likeness properties of key compounds.

Results

LC-MS identified 28 bioactive compounds including 8 flavonoids, 3 polyphenols, and 8 alkaloids. DEAE demonstrated significant antioxidant activity with TPC of 56.7 mg GAE/g and IC50 values of 149.80, 104.60, and 87.86 µg/mL against A549 cells at 24, 48, and 72 hours respectively. The extract induced apoptosis by upregulating pro-apoptotic genes (Caspase 3, Caspase 9, BAX, p53) and downregulating anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl 2), with significant downregulation of MMP 2 and MMP 9 migration genes.

Conclusion

DEAE exhibits promising anticancer and antioxidant potential against lung cancer through apoptosis induction and suppression of metastasis markers. Six compounds (skimmianine, lycorine-diacetate, isocorydine, glycyrrhetic acid methyl ester, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, and apigenin) demonstrated favorable drug-like properties. These findings suggest DEAE as a potential natural therapeutic candidate for lung cancer treatment and prevention.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41152511, PMCID: PMC12569175
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