Ganoderma lucidum extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell. Hu H, Ahn NS, Yang X, Lee YS, Kang KS Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea. [Medline record in process] Although the pharmacology and clinical application of water extracts of Ganoderma lucidum have been extensively documented, little is known regarding its alcohol extract. In the present study, the anti-tumor effect of an alcohol extract of Ganoderma lucidum was investigated using MCF-7 cells We found that the alcohol extract of Ganoderma lucidum inhibited cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which might be mediated through up-regulation of p21/Waf1 and down-regulation of cyclin D1. Furthermore, this compound can directly induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, which might be mediated through up-regulation of a pro-apoptotic Bax protein and not by the immune system. Our findings suggest that there are multiple mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor effects of Ganoderma lucidum. Int J Cancer 2002 Nov 20;102(3):250-3 Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. J Alt & Comp Med, 10/03 Intl J Food Sciences & Nutrition, 2/04 J Ethnopharmacol, 1/04 J Nat Prod, 12/03 Abstract # 2985 AACR, 3/04 No Am Res Conf on Complementary & Integrative Medicine, May, 2006 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.