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Antitumor Potential of New Low Molecular Weight Antioxidative Preparations from the White Rot Fungus Cerrena unicolor Against Human Colon Cancer Cells

Summary

This research investigated how compounds extracted from a white rot fungus could potentially help treat colon cancer. Scientists found that these natural fungal compounds can selectively kill colon cancer cells while causing minimal harm to normal cells. The compounds work by triggering programmed cell death in cancer cells and preventing them from spreading. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a potential new natural source for developing colon cancer treatments – Demonstrates how organisms like fungi can yield beneficial medical compounds – Offers hope for developing cancer therapies with fewer side effects – Shows promise for preventing cancer spread and metastasis – Highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity for medical research

Background

Mushrooms are known as functional foods that offer health-enhancing properties, particularly in traditional Eastern and Western folk medicine. They contain bioactive substances including low molecular compounds like terpenoids and phenolic compounds, as well as high molecular weight compounds such as polysaccharides and enzymes. These compounds exhibit various biological activities including antioxidant, anticancer, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, and other therapeutic effects.

Objective

To investigate the anticancer and antioxidant activities of low molecular weight subfractions isolated from secondary metabolites produced by the wood degrading fungus Cerrena unicolor, specifically testing their effects on human colon cancer cells (HT-29) and normal colon epithelial cells (CCD 841 CoTr).

Results

All six subfractions inhibited proliferation of colon cancer cells HT-29 at concentrations of 25-200 μg/mL in a dose-dependent manner, reducing proliferation to 47.5-9.2% at the highest concentrations. Subfractions S, 3, 4, and 5 showed the most desired activity, strongly inhibiting HT-29 cancer cell proliferation while having milder effects on normal CCD 841 CoTr cells. The subfractions induced programmed cell death (apoptosis) up to 44.4% in cancer cells while causing less than 20% apoptosis in normal cells. The preparations also showed significant antioxidant activity and ability to inhibit cancer cell migration.

Conclusion

The low molecular weight preparations isolated from C. unicolor demonstrate significant potential as therapeutic agents against colon cancer through their ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells while having limited effects on normal cells. They also show promise in preventing metastasis. These novel substances warrant further investigation as potential therapeutic and/or preventive agents for human colon cancer.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Study,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-018-37947-z
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