In this study, Haliotis discus hannai (H. discus hannai) was fermented using Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) and was investigated for the improvement of its antioxidant and anticancer potential after fermentation. Different radical scavenging activities of the extracts from fermented H. discus hannai with C. militaris mycelia (FHCM) were assessed by electron spin resonance. The antioxidant potential of FHCM was also determined on the basis of a ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity. Higher antioxidant and radical scavenging activities were observed in FHCM than in the unfermented C. militaris mycelia or H. discus hannai alone. FHCM demonstrated an anticancer activity against melanoma B16F10 cell line. In addition, FHCM co-treatment with doxorubicin showed an increased anticancer effect in both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the present study suggests that the mycelial fermentation on H. discus hannai is highly suitable for pharmaceutical applications.
Keywords: Cordyceps militaris mycelia; Haliotis discus hannai; anticancer activity; antioxidant activity.