In vitro anti-proliferative effects on NB4 human leukemia cells and physicochemical screening of Pleurotus sp. (higher Basidiomycetes) mycelia from Cuba

Int J Med Mushrooms. 2014;16(3):239-45. doi: 10.1615/intjmedmushr.v16.i3.40.

Abstract

This study examined the phytochemical profile and the in vitro anti-proliferative effects of a hot water mycelial extract from the edible mushroom Pleurotus sp. on NB4 human leukemia cells. Flow-cytometry analyses were used to measure cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis in cells incubated 24 h with the extract at doses of 100 and 200 µg/mL. Pleurotus sp. extract reduced cell viability, particularly at the concentration of 200 µg/mL to 82% compared to control cells, and induced apoptosis demonstrated by an increase in the number of annexin V-FITC+ cells (25% at 200 µg/mL). The NB4 cells were arrested in the G2/M phase thus supporting a cell-cycle dependent anticancer mechanism. Although carbohydrates (76.8%, w/w) appear to be the most important antitumor compound, secondary metabolites-like phenolics would also contribute to the anti-proliferative activity. The results indicate that Pleurotus sp. mycelia obtained by submerged fermentation may be an interesting renewable resource for developing functional foods and new antitumor therapeutic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cuba
  • Growth Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Growth Inhibitors / isolation & purification
  • Growth Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / drug therapy
  • Leukemia / physiopathology*
  • Mycelium / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Pleurotus / chemistry*
  • Vegetables / chemistry*

Substances

  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts