Astraeus hygrometricus extensively been utilized by tribal people for long time. A
triterpene,
astrakurkurol has been isolated from A. hygrometricus but anticancer effect of this novel
triterpene has imperceptibly been investigated. Motive of this research was to scrutinize its underlying apoptotic mechanism in HepG2 cells. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated a selective effect of
astrakurkurol with towering influence in HepG2 than Thle2 cells. The exposure of these
triterpene-induced marked apoptotic morphological changes enhanced the rate of cell apoptosis and arrest cell cycle at G0/G1. Furthermore, these results are aided by decline in the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL with an increase in the expression of p53, Bax, Fas, FADD together with the activation of
caspase cascade.
Astrakurkurol also displayed a remarkable anti-migratory capacity at a lower concentration. Altogether, studies explained anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-migratory efficacy of
astrakurkurol on HepG2, composing a gripping challenge in the advancement of novel treatments against
hepatocellular carcinoma. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Mushrooms, the minuscule
pharmaceutical factory, bear hundreds of novel elements with incredible
biological attributes.
Triterpenoids from mushrooms has been proven to bear potentials of curing
cancer. This study highlights the cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of novel
triterpene in vitro in HepG2 cell, an HCC cell line.
Astrakurkurol mediated cell death via both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signaling. Utilization of
astrakurkurol will provide a non-toxic substitute of
chemotherapy and also uplift the value of forsaken taxon, Astraeus and boost the rural acceptance.