Effects of sterol-type elicitors on biochemical characterization of polysaccharides from Antrodia cinnamomea

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Sterols play crucial roles in the physiological functions of organisms. In this study, we examined the chemical and biological effects of sterol type elicitors, including squalene, cholesterol and stigmasterol, on polysaccharides (PSs) of Antrodia cinnamomea. Characteristic studies revealed that squalene and stigmasterol effectively increased the glucose contents in PSs. Specifically, squalene not only induced glucose content but also increased fucose and mannose levels in PSs. However, cholesterol did not induce changes in sugar content in PSs. We further identified that high dose squalene significantly promoted 20% yield (w/w) of PSs as well as significantly increased the glucose, galactose and fucose contents. In addition, the major PSs species had a molecular weight of 21 kDa, and squalene significantly increased its area percentage to 43.54. The biological effects of PSs (squalenePS) from squalene treated A. cinnamomea presented anticancer activities by inhibiting lung cancer cell viability and colony formation. Functional studies revealed that squalenePS reduced the glucose uptake and lactate secretion may correlate to inhibition of AKT activity and downregulation of glucose transporter (GLUT1) expression. Our findings suggested squalene may play vital roles in regulating the PSs assembling and bioactivities of A. cinnamomea. Moreover, squalene may be a potential supplement for adding the culture medium of A. cinnamomea.