Lucialdehyde B suppresses proliferation and induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE2 cells

Abstract

Context Lucialdehyde B (LB), an effective triterpenoid isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst. (Polyproraceae), exerts cytotoxic activity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE2 cells. Objective To investigate the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of LB on CNE2 cells and explore its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods LB concentrations of 5–40 μg/mL were used. Cell proliferation was determined using MTT, CFSE, and colony formation assays. LB-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were measured by flow cytometry after 48-h LB treatments. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were performed to measure the alteration of MMP, mPTP opening, ROS level, and Ca 2+ content in CNE2 cells. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis-related and Ras/ERK signaling proteins. Results IC 50 values of LB against CNE2 cells for 24, 48, and 72 h were 25.42 ± 0.87, 14.83 ± 0.93, and 11.60 ± 0.77 μg/mL, respectively. The CFSE assay showed that the cell proliferation index was 12.70 in the LB treatment group and 31.44 in the control group. LB significantly reduced clonogenic capacity, promoted cell apoptosis and induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Our observations also revealed that LB induced ROS and calcium aggregation, opening of mPTP, MMP reduction, upregulation of mitochondrial apoptosis-related protein expression and inhibition of Ras/ERK signaling cascades. Discussion LB suppresses proliferation and induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE2 cells. Conclusions LB may have a potential use as a clinical drug candidate for nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment.

A Phyto-mycotherapeutic Supplement, Namely Ganostile, as Effective Adjuvant in Brain Cancer Management: An In Vitro Study Using U251 Human Glioblastoma Cell Line

“…In the current investigation, the potential efficacy of Ganostile , a phyto-mycotherapeutic preparation composed of four diverse extracts, and its synergistic effect with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs were evaluated with the aim of assessing the usefulness of the blend as a valuable adjuvant in cancer treatment. Among the extracts composing Ganostile , G. lucidum , well known for its anticancer activity, due to its immunomodulatory properties and direct cytotoxic action on tumor cell lines [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ], has been already extensively investigated in gliomas and glioblastoma models [ 13 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Similarly, new potential multitarget effects of A. membranaceus on glioma cells have been reported in recent years [ 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”