Anti-proliferative Effects of Lentinan, a Beta-glucan from Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes)

Cancer is one of the most significant health challenges worldwide. Lentinan, a betaglucan from shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes, has been demonstrated to have an inhibitory effect on selected cancer cells but results are inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of lentinan on breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7), prostate carcinoma (DU-145) and ovarian carcinoma (SKOV3) using MTS assay, and explore possible mechanisms of action of this compound. Treatment of DU-145 cells with different doses of lentinan resulted in up to a 42% inhibition in cell growth. In SKOV3 cells, lower doses of lentinan promoted cell proliferation by 170% – 250%, however 1.6 mg/ml inhibited cell proliferation significantly. In the MCF-7 cells that were used as a positive control, Lentinan inhibited growth by 94.3%. Our findings suggest that the ability of lentinan to inhibit or induce cancer cell proliferation depends on the type of carcinoma.