Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Apr 11, 2026 4 days, 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
Medical News:
Natural compound shows powerful multi-target anti-cancer effects
A new scientific study has revealed that a natural extract from oyster mushrooms may offer a powerful new approach to tackling breast cancer by targeting multiple pathways involved in tumor growth and survival. The findings provide fresh hope for safer and more effective treatment options, especially for hormone-driven cancers.
Natural mushroom extract shows strong ability to block cancer growth pathways and reduce tumor formation
Researchers from the Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ogun State, Nigeria; Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), Covenant University, Nigeria; Covenant University Public Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster (CUPHWERC), Nigeria; and the Molecular Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Laboratories, University of Ibadan, Nigeria conducted the study using a carefully designed animal model that closely mimics human breast cancer progression.
Study Design and Approach
To replicate real-world cancer development, scientists used a dual chemical induction method that triggers aggressive breast tumors in female rats. The study ran for 25 weeks and included multiple groups receiving either no treatment, a conventional chemotherapy drug, the mushroom extract, or combinations of both.
Importantly, the extract was tested in two key ways. It was given before cancer development to assess preventive potential, and after tumor formation to evaluate therapeutic effects. This allowed researchers to understand both how the extract may stop cancer from forming and how it may help treat existing tumors.
Dramatic Suppression of Cancer Pathways
The study found that cancer triggered extreme activation of several dangerous cellular pathways responsible for tumor growth. Key molecules involved in the PI3K, Akt, and mTOR signaling pathway were significantly elevated, driving uncontrolled cell proliferation.
However, treatment with the oyster mushroom extract led to a strong reversal of these effects. Cancer-promoting signals such as PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were significantly reduced, while critical tumor suppressor proteins like PTEN, GSK3β, and FOXO were restored to healthy levels.
This
Medical News report highlights that the extract achieved reductions of up to 82 percent in some cancer-driving markers, demonstrating a powerful ability to disrupt tumor growth at a molecular level.
Restoration Of Antioxidant Defenses
Cancer progression was also associated with severe oxidative stress, which weakened the body’s natural defense systems. Levels of key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly reduced in untreated cancer cases.
Treatment with the mushroom extract restored these protective enzymes, helping cells better neutralize harmful free radicals. This antioxidant improvement
is believed to play a crucial role in preventing further cellular damage and slowing tumor progression.
Hormonal Balance Plays a Key Role
Breast cancer is often influenced by hormonal imbalances, and the study found that cancer disrupted normal levels of estradiol and progesterone. These hormones are essential for maintaining healthy breast tissue function.
The oyster mushroom extract significantly increased both hormone levels, restoring balance and potentially reducing the signals that drive tumor growth. This combined effect, targeting both hormones and cancer pathways, makes the extract particularly promising.
Reduced Tumor Formation and Improved Outcomes
One of the most important findings was the reduction in actual tumor incidence. Untreated animals showed a 50 percent tumor rate, while those given the extract before cancer induction had only a 12.5 percent incidence.
Even when used after tumors had already developed, the extract still reduced tumor burden and improved overall outcomes. These results suggest both preventive and therapeutic potential.
Comparison With Conventional Treatment
While the chemotherapy drug vincristine showed moderate effectiveness, it also caused inconsistent molecular changes and did not restore protective pathways as effectively as the mushroom extract.
Combining the drug with the extract produced mixed results, indicating that more research is needed to fully understand how natural and conventional therapies interact.
Conclusion
The study clearly demonstrates that oyster mushroom extract has strong potential as a natural anti-cancer agent. By simultaneously targeting multiple cancer-driving pathways, restoring tumor suppressor activity, improving antioxidant defenses, and correcting hormonal imbalances, the extract offers a comprehensive approach to combating breast cancer. Its relatively low toxicity further enhances its appeal as a safer alternative or complementary therapy.
While additional human studies are required, these findings strongly position the extract as a promising candidate in the future of cancer prevention and treatment.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1766536/full
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cancer
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/herbs-and-phytochemicals
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