Partially purified mushroom exudates induce apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60)

Mycelial exudates of Lentinula edodes 1358 strain were observed to be produce profusely among other strains. They were collected, partially purified and evaluated for their antiproliferation activity on acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). The partially purified fraction 8 prepared by preparative HPLC using 1% acetic acid and methanol had the strongest Inhibition concentration (IC50) values at 21.59 µg/ml (48 h) and 16.89 µg/ml (72 h). Further evaluation using fluorescent dyes and cell cytometry suggested that apoptosis was involved. One sub-fraction of fraction 8 showed substantially low IC50 at 1.56 µg/ml (72 h), suggesting it might contain the most potent compound.