Ethanolic Extract of Agaricus blazei Fermentation Product Inhibits the Growth and Invasion of Human Hepatoma HA22T/VGH and SK-Hep-1 Cells

Hepatoma is a leading cause of death in the world. SK-Hep-1 and HA22T/VGH cells are poorly differentiated human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with invasive and migratory abilities. Agaricus blazei (AB) is a mushroom with many biological effects and active ingredients, and the ethanolic extract of AB fermentation product (AB-pE) was demonstrated to inhibit the growth of hepatoma Hep3B and HepG2 cells in our previous study. In this study, we further investigated the anticancer and anti-invasive abctivities of the AB-pE. Results showed that the AB-pE inhibited the growth of SK-Hep1 and HA22T/VGH cells (with IC(50) values of 26.8 and 28.7 μg/mL, respectively) and led cells toward apoptosis after 48 h of treatment. Activation of caspase-3 by AB-pE (12.5~200 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner was observed in both cell lines using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The apoptosis triggered by the AB-pE was regulated by the increased expression of Bax, the activation of caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and the decreased expression of Bcl-2. Additionally, the AB-pE showed the potential ability to inhibit invasion of SK-Hep1 and HA22T/VGH cells according to the results of a Matrigel invasion assay. Our results suggested that the AB-pE may be a further developed for its potential against hepatoma due to its antiproliferative (via apoptosis) and anti-invasive activities in hepatoma cells.