Avermectins are a group of macrocyclic lactones that are commonly used as pesticides to treat pests and parasitic worms. Some members of the avermectin family, such as ivermectin, have been found to exhibit anti-proliferative activity toward cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-cancer activities of avermectin B1a using the HCT-116 colon cancer cell line. The MTT assay was used to calculate the IC50 by incubating cells with increasing doses of avermectin B1a for 24, 48, and 72 h. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis following the 24 h incubation of cells. The migration capacity of the HCT-116 cells in the absence or presence of avermectin B1a was also investigated. Finally, tubulin polymerization in the presence of avermectin B1a was evaluated. Avermectin B1a presented anti-proliferative activity with an IC50 value of 30 μM. Avermectin B1a was found to promote tubulin polymerization at 30 μM. In addition, avermectin B1a induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells and substantially diminished their ability to migrate. Avermectin B1a exhibits significant anti-cancer activity and enhances tubulin polymerization, suggesting that it can be used as a promising microtubule-targeting agent for the development of future anticancer drugs.

Objectives This study aims to determine the effects of Hericium erinaceus extracts on cell viability and the effects of H. erinaceus water extract on the telomerase activity of MCF-7 cells. H. erinaceus is an edible mushroom widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Although its various therapeutic properties, the literature has not yet submitted evidence about H. erinaceus for its effects on the telomerase activity of MCF-7 cells. Methods MCF-7 cells were treated with ethanol, ethanol-water, ether, ethyl acetate, methanol-water, and water extracts to determine the effects on cell viability using the WST8 method. The TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISA kit was used to assess telomerase activity. Results The water extract was determined to be the most efficient extract to decrease cell viability. The water extract’s half-maximal inhibitory concentration was 250 μg/mL at 72 h. It is found that H. erinaceus has no statistically significant effect compared to positive control on reducing telomerase activity. We found a statistically significant difference in telomerase activity % between H. erinaceus water extracts and negative control (p<0.05). Conclusions Consequently, these differences in telomerase activity are a significant association rather than inferring action. It is considered that water extract shows its cell viability inhibition effects through different mechanisms.