Prooxidant Activity of Poria Mushroom Extract on Renal Cell Carcinoma: Potential Therapeutic Strategy

Abstract

Abstract Background: Establishing more effective therapeutic modalities for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) has been urgently demanded. Oxidative Stress (OXS) has been known to exert adverse effects on a variety of cells, but it is currently considered as one of anticancer strategies, due to greater vulnerability of cancer cells (than normal cells) to it. A bioactive extract from Poria mushroom, PE, has been shown to have anticancer effect through possible prooxidant (exerting OXS) activity. Accordingly, we investigated if PE could be a potential therapeutic agent for RCC. Methods: Human RCC cell line (ACHN), was treated with varying concentrations of PE and cell viability was assessed. Several biochemical parameters were examined for exploring the anticancer mechanism of PE. Results: PE concentrations ≥100 μg/ml led to a significant cell viability reduction in ACHN cells. Compared to control cells, PE has exerted ~2.1 times severer OXS and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) significantly lost their activities as well. In the glycolytic pathway, hexokinase activity and ATP synthesis declined with PE, implying the impediment of glycolysis that could lead to the growth cessation and cell death. In fact, PE was found to ultimately induce apoptosis in ACHN cells. Conclusions: The present study shows that PE is capable of exerting OXS on ACHN cells, resulting in the significant cell viability reduction. Such an anticancer mechanism involves inactivation of antioxidant enzymes, inhibition of glycolysis, and induction of apoptosis. Thus, PE is considered as an anticancer agent with prooxidant activity that could be used against RCC. Keywords Oxidative stress; Poria mushroom; Prooxidant; Renal cell carcinoma