Antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of potentized preparation of Cordyceps sinensis in vitro in cancer cell lines

Abstract

Background: The parasitic fungus Cordyceps sinensis (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) has been discovered in lepidopteran larvae, having known antitumor effects. Testing potentized Cordyceps sinensis in cancer cells could help broaden Homoeopathy cancer therapeutics. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxicity activity of potentized preparation of Cordyceps sinensis in carcinoma cell-lines. Methods: In this in vitro study, antioxidant activity was analyzed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assay and the dilution with more antioxidant potential was further analyzed for cytotoxicity, using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on various carcinoma cell lines: Breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), liver cancer cell line (HePG2), lung cancer cell line (A-549), and prostate cancer cell line (PC3). All experiments were carried out in triplicates. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and the means were compared by Duncan’s new multiple range test. Results: A higher antioxidant potential 377.40 μL/mL was seen in Cordyceps sinensis 30C, which was further analyzed for cytotoxicity in cell lines (MCF-7), (HePG2), (A-549), and (PC3) which it inhibited at concentrations 596.21 ± 3.32 μL/mL, 438.10 ± 2.39 μL/mL, 555.40 ± 3.08 μL/mL, and 656.42 ± 2.68 μL/mL, respectively. When comparing Cordyceps sinensis 30C to other cell lines, its cytotoxic activity against HEPG2 is particularly potent. Conclusion: This research demonstrates the usefulness of potentized preparation of Cordyceps sinensis, it will take additional studies comparing it to currently used drugs to determine whether or not it is significantly more efficient.