Investigating Apoptotic Induction of Persian Species of Two Medicinal Mushrooms as New Herbal Medicines in Human Renal Cancer Cells Induced by A-498 Cell Line: A Preclinical Study

Introduction: Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 85% of kidney cancer cases worldwide. While standard treatments such as surgery and targeted therapies are commonly used, they often exhibit limited efficacy, leading to drug resistance and severe side effects. Given these challenges, natural compounds, particularly medicinal fungi, have gained interest as potential alternative therapies. This study investigates the anticancer effects of Ganoderma lucidum and Trametes versicolor on RCC by assessing their ability to induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth in a murine model.Methods: RCC was induced in C57BL/6 nude mice via subcutaneous injection of A-498 renal cancer cells. Mice were divided into three groups: untreated control, Ganoderma-treated, and Trametes-treated groups. Extracts were administered via oral gavage for 28 days. Tumor volume and weight were recorded, and apoptosis was evaluated using the TUNEL assay. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with GraphPad Prism.Results: Mice treated with Ganoderma lucidum and Trametes versicolor exhibited significantly lower tumor volume and tumor weight compared to the control group (P-value< 0.0001). The TUNEL assay confirmed a higher percentage of apoptotic cells in treated groups (P-value< 0.0001), indicating increased tumor cell death.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Ganoderma lucidum and Trametes versicolor possess significant anticancer properties against RCC by inducing apoptosis and reducing tumor burden. These results support further investigation into the mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications of medicinal fungi in RCC treatment.