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Effect of Methyl Jasmonate Elicitation on Triterpene Production and Cytotoxic Activity of Ganoderma applanatum Mycelial Culture Extracts

Summary

This research explored how treating mushroom cultures with a plant hormone called methyl jasmonate could increase the production of beneficial compounds that may help fight cancer. The scientists grew Ganoderma applanatum mushroom cells in the laboratory and found they could significantly boost the production of therapeutic molecules called triterpenes. These compounds showed promising ability to selectively kill cancer cells while causing minimal harm to normal cells. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a sustainable way to produce natural anti-cancer compounds – Demonstrates potential for developing new cancer treatments from mushrooms – Offers an environmentally-friendly alternative to harvesting wild mushrooms – Shows promise for more targeted cancer therapies with fewer side effects – Advances our understanding of how to optimize production of medicinal compounds from fungi

Background

Ganoderma applanatum is a parasitic and saprotrophic mushroom widely distributed in the northern hemisphere that grows on living and dead deciduous trees. It contains valuable bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, sterols, proteins, fatty acids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids and over 380 terpenoids. Traditional medicine and modern research confirm its potential therapeutic applications including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and antifibrotic effects.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicitation on triterpene production in submerged cultures of Ganoderma applanatum, specifically focusing on ganoderic acids A and C production. Additionally, to assess the cytotoxic activity of the optimal elicitation extract variant against selected human cancer cell lines and evaluate selectivity against normal cells.

Results

MeJA elicitation significantly increased triterpene production, with the highest accumulation occurring with 150 μM MeJA added on day 6, resulting in a 7.5-fold increase compared to controls. The elicited extract showed significant cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cells and moderate effects on melanoma cells. The extracts were generally more active against less malignant cancer cells and showed high selectivity toward normal prostate and liver cells.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated for the first time that MeJA elicitation of Ganoderma applanatum mycelial cultures effectively enhances production of ganoderic acids A and C without adversely affecting biomass growth. The elicited extracts showed promising selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells. These findings suggest Ganoderma applanatum mycelial cultures can serve as a model system for studying therapeutic compound accumulation through abiotic elicitation.
  • Published in:Plants (Basel),
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/plants12020294
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