Inhibitory Effect of an Aqueous Extract of Phellinus linteus on Tumor Promotion in Mouse Skin

Abstract

The fruiting bodies of Phellinus linteus have been used as a supplemental herb in the treatment of cancer in Japan and Korea. More recently, this herb has been assessed for cancer chemopreventive activity. In the present mouse model, the aqueous extract of P. linteus was found to inhibit tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradeacnoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and by TPA and mezerein, following initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in mouse skin. A diet containing 0.57% aqueous extract of P. linteus (about 30mg/mouse/day) was similar in activity to a diet containing 0.04% glycyrrhetinic acid (about 2 mg/mouse/day).