https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.62.02.24.8424

article in press

Comparative Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Heat-Assisted vs Cold Water Extractions of Six Medicinal Fungi against Breast and Lung Cancer Cells

Min-Jia Ng^1§, Neng-Yao Goh^1§, Chon-Seng Tan², Muhammad Fazril Mohamad Razif¹, Hui-Yeng Yeannie Yap³, Boon-Hong Kong¹ and Shin-Yee Fung^1,4,5*

¹Medicinal Mushroom Research Group (MMRG), Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

²LiGNO Biotech Sdn. Bhd., Balakong Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

³Division of Applied Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, IMU University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

⁴Center for Natural Products Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

⁵Universiti Malaya Centre for Proteomics Research (UMCPR), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Article history:

Received: 6 November 2023

Accepted: 7 June 2024

Keywords:

fungal extract; heat-assisted water extraction; cold water extraction; protein/carbohydrate/phenolic compositions; cytotoxicity

The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.

Summary:

Research background. Preparation of medicinal fungi for experimental purposes usually involves extraction and determination of both the quality and quantity of bioactive compounds prior to biological experimentation. Water, a common polar solvent, is typically used in traditional preparations for consumption. The application of high temperatures during water extraction can potentially impact the chemical composition and functional outcomes of the extracts. Hence, this study aims to compare the compositional differences between heat-assisted (HAWE) and cold water (CWE) extracts of six selected fungi species (Lignosus rhinocerus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Inonotus obliquus, Antrodia camphorata, Phellinus linteus, Monascus purpureus) and their cytotoxicity against human lung and breast cancer cells.

Experimental approach. CWE and HAWE of six fungi species were analysed to determine their protein, carbohydrate, and phenolic compositions. Their cytotoxicities were examined against lung (A549) and breast (MCF-7; MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines. The most potent extract was further separated into its protein and non-protein fractions to determine their respective cytotoxicity.

Results and conclusions. The cytotoxicity varied between CWEs and HAWEs for the different fungi extracts. Comparing CWEs and HAWEs, CWEs provided a significantly higher yield of protein (except M. purpureus) and phenolic (except A. camphorata) compounds, while HAWE of I. obliquus and M. purpureus have significantly higher carbohydrates content. Notably, I. obliquus-CWE exhibited cytotoxicity (IC₅₀=(700.95±34.67) µg/mL) that was one of the most potent of the tested extracts against A549 cells. I. obliquus-CWE was selected for further evaluations. Our results showed that CWEs generally have higher cytotoxicities against selected human cancer cell lines, with the exception of O. sinensis and A. camphorata extracts.

Novelty and scientific contribution. This study reported the advantage of fungi CWE over HAWE in terms of cytotoxicity towards human cancer cell lines, highlighting the role of extraction conditions, particularly heat, in influencing chemical composition and cytotoxic effects.

^§These authors contributed equally to this work.