Cell cycle arest and regulation of Nrf2 by Ganoderma lucidum in hepatocellular carcinoma

Currently, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. However, the studies focusing on molecular etiology of HCC are limited. The Nrf2 signaling pathway can protect cells from a variety of toxicants and carcinogens by increasing the expression of a number of cytoprotective genes.The idea of using G. lucidum for cancer treatment is based on numerous laboratory and preclinical studies with cancer and immune cells as well as animal models demonstrating various biological activities in vitro and in vivo. The aim of our study is to evaluate the potential antioxidant role of G. lucidum in HCC. For this purpose, analysis of Nrf2 levels and cell cycle arrest were done. The most effective concentration of G. lucidum were found at 1/5 dilution. The changes in cytoplasmic/nuclear Nrf2 protein levels following G. lucidum extracts (1:5 or 1:10) treatments for 24, 48 or 72 h were observed. 1/10 and 1/5 diluted of G. lucidum induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HCC. Consistently, the cells distributed in S phase were significantly reduced.In conclusion, our findings suggest that G. lucidum has a potential as an anticancer agent and. our data support the importance of the clarification of the molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals-induced Nrf2 activation.