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    Cordyceps militaris Polysaccharide Exerted Anticancer Effect via Activating the Endogenous Apoptosis Pathway

    Fenglin Li2,3,4,5, Yumiao Ma2,4, Wuyang Hua2,3,5★, Yanxia Liu2,4, Li Li2,4, Zhongkui Lu2,4, Xiaokun Jiang2,4, Chao Liu2,4, Jingxue Liu2,4★ Corresponding author

    1. 1College of Food Engineering, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Changyi District, Jilin, Jilin Province, China.
    2. 2Panxi Crops Research and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Xichang, Sichuan Province, China.
    3. 3Jilin Brewing Technology Innovation Center, Changyi District, Jilin, Jilin Province, China.
    4. 4National Sugar Processing Technology Research Sub‑Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of PRC, Jilin, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of, China.

    CORRESPONDENCE

    Wuyang Hua

    Panxi Crops Research and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Xichang, Sichuan Province, China.

    whua@jlnku.edu.cn

    Received: 20-12-2021; Revised: 11-02-2022; Accepted: 27-04-2022.

    Volume 18, Issue 79 · pp. 669–674 · PUBLISHED 19 September 2022 · DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_585_21

    View on Pharmacogn. Mag. original site ↗

    ABSTRACT

    Background: Despite tremendous efforts that have been made, cancer is still the leading cause of death all over the world. Chemotherapy, considered a routine method, always faces severe side effects and drug resistance. Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is a kind of folk tonic food and traditional Chinese medicine and was reported to have anticancer capacity. Since it is difficult to cure cancer via chemotherapy, preventing or inhibiting malignant cells by diet behavior seems useful and attractive Objectives: In this study, we aim to assess the anticancer capacity of C. militaris polysaccharide (CMPs) and explore its anticancer mechanism. Materials and Methods: Polysaccharide was extracted by water from C. militaris. Its total sugar, protein percentage, and monosaccharide composition were measured via the phenol‑sulfuric acid method, Bradford kit, and GC assay, respectively. The anti‑proliferation effect of the CMPs was screened against several cancer cell lines by CCK8. Its anticancer effect was further studied by cell morphology, live/dead cell staining, and cell apoptosis study. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) evaluation and western blots assay were conducted to explore its anticancer mechanism. Results: According to our data, the CMPs could effectively inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 437.8 µg/mL to 545.1 µg/mL. Administration of CMPs could cause morphological change among cells and induce cell apoptosis. The study mechanism revealed that the CMPs exerted an anticancer effect via increasing the cellular ROS level and activating the endogenous apoptosis pathway. Conclusion: The CMPs can effectively inhibit cancer cells via arousing cellular ROS and activating the endogenous apoptosis pathway.

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      Li, F., Ma, Y., Hua, W., Liu, Y., Li, L., Lu, Z., Jiang, X., Liu, C., & Liu, J. (2022). Cordyceps militaris Polysaccharide Exerted Anticancer Effect via Activating the Endogenous Apoptosis Pathway. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 18(79), 669–674. https://doi.org/10.4103/pm.pm_585_21