Effects of Agaricus brasiliensis mushroom in Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats.
Agaricus brasiliensis is a mushroom native to São Paulo State, Brazil, that is studied for its medicinal proprieties. This work aimed to investigate the antitumoral activity of A. brasiliensis extracts and pure powdered basidiocarp preparation using Walker-256 (W256) tumor-bearing rats, a model for cancer-related cachexia studies. The rats were treated for 14 days by gavage (136 mg/kg) and at the end of the experiment tumors were collected to calculate mass and volume. Blood was collected for determination of plasma glucose, albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Hepatic and tumor enzymes indicating oxidative stress were also evaluated. The results showed that all 4 treatments (pure powdered basidiocarp and aqueous, acid, and alkaline extracts) significantly reduced tumor size and promoted gain in body weight. Plasmatic analysis showed a reduction in AST level and increased glycemia in the treated rats. Pure basidiocarp preparations improved the liver catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, but did not change the glutathione S-transferase activity. The data collected from the W256 tumor-bearing rats revealed the beneficial effects of A. brasiliensis in tumor treatment, mainly related to cachexia. The benefits can be partly related to antioxidant activity and to reduction of weight loss and tumor growth.
Jumes
Fernanda Menon Dias
FM
Pharmacology Department, Federal University of Paraná, Jardim das Américas, C.P. 19031, 81531-900 Curitiba-PR, Brazil.
Lugarini
Daiana
D
Pereira
Amanda Leite Bastos
AL
de Oliveira
Anabel
A
Christoff
Adriana de Oliveira
Ade O
Linde
Giani Andrea
GA
do Valle
Juliana Silveira
JS
Colauto
Nelson Barros
NB
Acco
Alexandra
A
D000364:Agaricus; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002279:Carcinoma 256, Walker / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts