New finding on potential application of New Bellus® Antro-mycelium PS40 in intestinal health and tumor prevention
An in vivo study published in Nutrients has revealed that early-life supplementation with New Bellus® Antrodia cinnamomea mycelium PS40 can significantly alter the gut microbiota[1] and inhibit intestinal tumor formation in APC1638N gene-mutant mice later in life.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent cancer worldwide. Despite incidence rates declined among adults age 50 and above, rates are increasing among younger adults. Several studies have linked childhood obesity to an increased risk of CRC in young adult (young-onset CRC). Although the mechanisms underlying the association between early-life obesity and CRC remain largely undefined, scientists believe that understanding the association and pathophysiological mechanisms between early obesity and young-onset colorectal cancer may help alleviate the medical burden caused by young-onset CRC.
Currently, chemotherapy is the primary treatment strategy for CRC, but its side effects have driven the search for alternative therapies. Antrodia camphorata or Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) is a rare medicinal fungus commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies show its potential for anti-cancer, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory effects. These make AC become a promising natural product for CRC prevention and treatment.
In the study, mice were divided into two groups (low-fat diet and high-fat diet) to investigate the effect of AC supplementation early in life on the development of young-onset intestinal tumorigenesis[2]. The researchers fed 4-week-old mice for 8 weeks to reflect the nutritional status of humans in early life. After treatment, biomarkers related to intestinal tumorigensis[2] and gut microbiota composition were systematically analyzed. .
The results suggested that AC supplementation during early life can mitigate insulin resistant, IGF-1 signaling and Wnt/β-catenin signaling (which is a pivotal tumorigenic pathway involved in over 90% of CRC cases) in intestinal. Moreover, it significantly alters the gut microbiota composition, creating a microenvironment that helps reduce the risk of intestinal tumor formation. These evidences provide new scientific basis for the potential application of Antrodia cinnamomea in intestinal health and tumor prevention.
New Bellus is an innovative health solutions provider and manufacturer of fermented products, focusing on improving human health through natural ingredients. Our commitment to innovation and dedication within the realm of microbial fermentation is evident in the meticulous care we invest in every process. We firmly believe that each minor innovation and breakthrough harbors an immense impact on safeguarding people's health, delivering unparalleled solutions to our clients, and contributing invaluable and boundless value to the sustainable development of society.
[1] Gut microbiota: also called gut microbiome or gut flora, are the microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that live in the digestive tracts of animals.
[2] Tumorigenesis: also called oncogenesis or carcinogenesis, is the formation of a cancer, whereby normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.
Reference:
- Lin, T., Daddi, L., Tang, Y., Zhou, Y., Liu, B., Moore, M. D., & Liu, Z. (2024). Antrodia camphorata supplementation during early life alters gut microbiota and inhibits young-onset intestinal tumorigenesis in APC1638N mice later in life. Nutrients, 16(15), 2408. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152408