In Vitro Antitumor Effects of the Cold-Water Extracts of Mediterranean Species of Genus Pleurotus (Higher Basidiomycetes) on Human Colon Cancer Cells
- Autori: Fontana, S.; FLUGY PAPE', A.; Schillaci, O.; Cannizzaro, A.; Gargano, M.; Saitta, A.; DE LEO, G.; Venturella, G.; Alessandro, R.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2014
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/90743
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the cold-water extract of Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae (CWE-Pef) and Pleurotus nebrodensis (CWE-Pn), two of the most prized wild and cultivated edible mushrooms can affect the tumour phenotype of human colon cancer HCT116 cells. Our results showed that treatment with CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn resulted in a significant inhibition of the viability of HCT116 cells and promoted apoptosis as also demonstrated by the increase of bax/bcl-2 mRNA ratio. Moreover, we observed that both extracts were able to inhibit cell migration and to affect homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell adhesion. It was also found that treatment with CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn negatively modulated the protein tyrosine phosphorylation as well as the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2. In conclusion, the in vitro antitumor effects of CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn indicate that they can be considered as possible sources for new alternative therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.