Ganoderma lucidum inhibits proliferation and promotes autophagy in breast cancer cell lines with varying hormonal sensitivity by regulating Beclin-1, LC3, and p62

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) in cell proliferation and autophagy in breast cancer cell lines. 
Materials and Methods: Cell lines were cultured in vitro and the appropriate dose was determined by the MTT method. In order to show the effect of GL on autophagy in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, Beclin-1, LC3 and p62 expression were examined by immunohistochemistry staining. Additionally, cell cycle analysis was carried out in GL-treated and untreated cells using a cell cycle analysis kit to look into how GL affects cell division. 
Results: Viability level was significantly reduced in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with 40 and 80 μM concentrations of GL for 24 hours. In addition, GL induced the initiation of autophagy in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, as evidenced by enhanced levels of Beclin-1, LC3 and p62 expression. At the same time, this study showed that GL induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phases. 
Conclusion: GL has anti-proliferative activity by arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase and accelerates cell death by inducing autophagy, particularly in aggressive breast cancers that are resistant to treatment..