Tiger Milk mushroom is a unique mushroom that has number of medicinal properties. Communities in
Malaysia have been using this mushroom to treat different kinds of cancer. This study was conducted to elucidate the
antiproliferation activity of this national treasure mushroom on human colorectal cancer cells (HCT 116). Colon cancer
cells were cultured in the presence of L. rhinocerotis for aqueous or methanol pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) at
various concentrations for 24 hours. The percentage of cell viability was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-
di phenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Our results showed that methanol PLE of Lignosus rhinocerotis sclerotia was
found to exhibit antiproliferative activity against HCT 116 cells, with an IC50 of 600 μg/mL and 1200 μg/mL for aqueous
PLE. In comparison, both extractions did not show significant cytotoxicity against normal human colon cell (CCD-
18CO). The IC50 values suggested that the solvent differences in pressurized liquid extraction greatly affected their
antiproliferative activites. Additionally, weak antioxidant capacities were detected in both methanol and aqueous PLE of
L. rhinocerotis by the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) Assay. However, this capacity was not significant
when the aqueous extract was tested in the presence of HCT 116 cells. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed
that both methanol and aqueous pressurized liquid extraction of L. rhinocerotis contained alkaloids.