Mushroom Extract Kills Breast Cancer Cells

PORTO, PortugalAn extract  of D fraction, a bioactive compound in maitake mushrooms, decreased the viability of human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, meaning that the more of the D-fraction that was used, the more pronounced the effect, in a new study from Portugal and Argentina (J Med Food. 2011 Jun;14(6):563-72). The study used Maitake D-Fraction, a proprietary protein-bound polysaccharide extract developed by Mushroom Wisdom Inc.

In the study, MCF7 breast cancer cells were treated with maitake (D fraction) extract at 18 mL, 36 mL, 91 mL, 183 mL or 367 mL, or were left untreated (control) for 24 hours. MCF7 incubation with the maitake extract resulted in decreased cell viability [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)- 2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay] in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis (cell death) was statistically significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner at every concentration tested (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay).

Using a genomic analysis, 22 pro-apoptosis genes were found to be up-regulated and at the highest dose, a 25-fold increase in the BAK-1 gene, which is known to promote apoptosis, was discovered.  Further investigation into this stimulation of the apoptosis process also observed the release of cytochrome c, an intermediate to induce caspase activation from the mitochondria, providing supporting evidence that the Maitake D-fractions actions in this regard involves mitochondrial dysfunction.

These findings confirm the apoptotic effect of maitake D fraction in breast cancer cells," the authors wrote.

Previous studies have shown Maitake D-Fraction enhances immune function in animals.