Beta-D-glucan Polysaccharide Downregulates p53, and Prostate Specific Antigen Expression in Histological and Immunohistochemical study of Prostate Tumor Model

Abstract

Global increase in cancer incidence has prompted the search for natural bioactive products which are readily available, safer and more affordable. Beta-D-glucan polysaccharide (βDgP) is a phytochemical fractionate of an edible mushroom Auricularia polytricha known to have anti cancer property but information about the actual mechanism underlying its therapeutic property is lacking. This research investigates the tumor regulatory effect of Beta-D-glucan polysaccharide on some tumor markers; p53 and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in nitrosobis amine (NA) – induced prostate tumor model of Wister rat. Twenty-four male Wister rats were divided into four groups with six rats in each group. Group A served as normal control while treatment groups: B (5mg/kgbw nitrosobis amine only); C and D (placed on 120 mg/kgbw and 250 mg/kgbw respectively) after inducing tumor. The experiment lasted for 10 weeks. At termination, ELISA method was used to evaluate PSA levels; p53 tumor marker was assessed using immunohistochemical methods; histological alterations were examined using routine H&E technique. Results shown that p53 and PSA levels increased significantly (at p≤0.05) in group B (tumor control) when compared to normal control. Increase in papillary fronds, basal cell hyperplasia and prostatic concretions depicted cytoarchitectural alterations in tumor control group. However, expression of p53 and PSA was down-regulated significantly (p≤0.05) when compared to tumor control, and histological distortions reversed in a dose-dependent manner, following administration of graded concentration of βDgP. Findings from the present study have revealed the anti-tumor property of βDgP in NA-induced prostate tumor model in Wister rat.&nbsp