Objective:

2

To explore the potential apoptotic mechanisms of 3

Morchella

extracts (

Morchella conica

Morchella esculenta

and

Morchella delicosa

) on breast and colon cancer cell lines using apoptotic biomarkers.

Methods:

2

Human breast cell line (MCF-7) and colon cancer cell line (SW-480) were treated with methanol and ethanol extracts of 3

Morchella

species with concentration ranging from 0.0625 to 2 mg/mL. After that their effects on gene expression of apoptosis related markers (pro-apoptotic markers including Bax

caspase-3

caspase-7

and caspase-9

and the antiapoptotic marker including Bcl-2) were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

2

All

Morchella

extracts reduced breast and colon cancer cells proliferation at half inhibitory concentration (IC

50

) of 0.02±0.01 to 0.68±0.30 mg/mL. As expected

all

Morchella

extr

acts significantly increased gene expressions of Bax

caspase-3

caspase-7

and caspase-9 and downregulated the gene expression of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 and SW-480 cell lines (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusions:

2

Morchella

extracts demonstrated significant anti-proliferative activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines via an apoptosis induction mechanism. Anticancer activity of

Morchella

extracts and activation of apoptosis in breast and colon cancer cells suggest that it may be used to develop chemotherapeutic agents against cancer in future.