Cordyceps militaris induces tumor cell death via the caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells

Abstract

Cordyceps militaris (CM), an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the class ascomycetes, possesses various pharmacological activities, including cytotoxic effects, on various types of human tumor cells. The present study investigated the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and anti-breast cancer effects of CM in in vitro and in vivo models. CM aqueous extract reduced cell viability, suppressed cell proliferation, inhibited cell migration ability, caused the over-release of lactate dehydrogenase, induced mitochondrial dysfunction and enhanced apoptotic rates in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. The expression levels of cleaved poly (ADP ribose) polymerase and caspase-3, biomarkers of apoptosis, were increased following treatment with CM aqueous extract for 24 h. Furthermore, in the MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, enhanced levels of B cell-associated X protein and cleaved caspase-8 were observed in the CM-treated cells. Finally, the antitumor activities of CM in HCC and breast cancer were also confirmed in MCF-7- and HepG2-xengraft nude mice models. Collectively, the data obtained in the present study suggested that the cytotoxic effects of CM aqueous extract on HCC and breast cancer are associated with the caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

Aqueous extract of Cordyceps sinensis potentiates the antitumor effect of DDP and attenuates therapy-associated toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer via IκBα/NFκB and AKT/MMP2/MMP9 pathways

“…[22][23][24] Herein, we hypothesize that the combination with extract of C. sinensis and DDP will be benecial to improve antitumor efficacy of DDP and, meanwhile, reduce therapyrelated toxicity in human NSCLC. Particularly, aqueous extract of Cordyceps was extensively investigated for the antitumor activity, 25 we, therefore, choose the combination with aqueous extract of C. sinensis (AECS) and DDP to conduct our investigation. Moreover, AECS1 and AECS2 obtained by two different extraction methods were evaluated in the present study to identify an extraction method with better antitumor activity.…”

Effects of Newly Synthesized Recombinant Human Amyloid-�� Complexes and Poly-Amyloid-�� Fibers on Cell Apoptosis and Cognitive Decline

“…Protein bands were visualized using an enhanced chemiluminescence western blotting detection kit (ELPIS BIOTECH, Korea) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Next, the blots were probed with various antibodies, including anti-VPS35 [15], anti-caspase-3 (Abcam, ab44976, UK) [16], anti-caspase-8 (Abcam, ab25901) [17], and anti-caspase-9 [18], as previously described.…”

Tricholoma matsutake Aqueous Extract Induces Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Apoptosis via Caspase-Dependent Mitochondrial Pathway

“…In our group, we have successfully confirmed the proapoptotic properties of Cordyceps militaris in hepatocellular carcinoma and breast cancer cells related to caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway [5]. Tricholoma matsutake , a highly valued ectomycorrhizal mushroom, exhibits various biological activities such as antimicroorganism, immunostimulation, and antioxidation properties [6].…”