Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide and is the fourth most common cancer among men and women in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. In the search for ways to lessen colon cancer risk, some mushrooms may offer significant immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties. Check with your doctor before using mushrooms to treat a medical condition.
Reishi
A component of reishi mushroom suppressed colon cancer cell growth in a study conducted at the Cancer Research Laboratory, Methodist Research Institute, Indianapolis. In the tissue culture study of human colon cancer cells, ganodermanontriol -- a triterpene antioxidant found in high quantities in reishi mushrooms -- inhibited two strains of cancer cells. The compound also inhibited certain signaling pathways that regulate cancer development and suppressed tumor growth in a portion of the study on laboratory animals. The study appeared in the March 2011 issue of the "International Journal of Oncology."
Chaga
Researchers at the Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Republic of Korea demonstrated anti-colon cancer properties of the fungus Inonotus obliquus, also known as chaga or cinder conk, in a study published in the December 2009 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy Research." In the tissue culture study, human colon cancer cells treated with concentrations of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL for 24 or 48 hours induced inhibition of growth and apoptosis -- programmed cell death. The best results -- a 56 percent rate of inhibition -- were obtained with the highest dose and the longest exposure time. Researchers concluded that chaga mushroom may offer useful anticancer benefits. Human trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Oyster Mushroom
The journal "Cancer Letters" reported on a study conducted at the Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem that found growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects from oyster mushroom extract. The tissue culture study of human colon cancer cells identified a new polysaccharide compound in oyster mushroom with promising benefits for colon cancer treatment. The study appeared in the journal's November 2006 issue.
Lethariella Zahlbruckneri
A mushroom known as Lethariella zahlbruckneri inhibited colon cancer cells in a study conducted at the Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Republic of Korea. The mushroom extract induced cancer cell death by increasing production of molecules that promote apoptosis and decreasing production of molecules that inhibit apoptosis. A third mechanism of apoptosis-promotion was also activated by Lethariella zahlbruckneri extract, in this preliminary tissue culture study, published in the September 2009 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology."
References
- "International Journal of Oncology"; Ganodermanontriol, a Lanostanoid Triterpene from Ganoderma Lucidum, Suppresses Growth of Colon Cancer Cells Through ß-catenin Signaling; A. Jedinak, et al.; March 2011
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Antitumor Activity of Water Extract of a Mushroom, Inonotus Obliquus, Against Ht-29 Human Colon Cancer Cells; S. Lee S, et al.; December 2009
- "Cancer letters"; An Aqueous Polysaccharide Extract from the Edible Mushroom Pleurotus Ostreatus Induces Anti-proliferative and Pro-apoptotic Effects on Ht-29 Colon Cancer Cells; I. Lavi , et al.; November 2006
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Anti-proliferative Effects of Lethariella Zahlbruckneri Extracts in Human Ht-29 Human Colon Cancer Cells; M. Ren, et al.; September 2009
- National Cancer Institute; What You Need to Knwo About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum; May 26, 2006
