The Large Molecular Weight Polysaccharide from Wild Cordyceps and Its Antitumor Activity on H22 Tumor-Bearing Mice

Abstract

Cordyceps has anti-cancer effects; however, the bioactive substance and its effect are still unclear. Polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps sinensis, the fugus of Cordyceps, have been reported to have anti-cancer properties. Thus, we speculated that polysaccharides might be the key anti-tumor active ingredients of Cordyceps because of their larger molecular weight than that of polysaccharides in Cordyceps sinensis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides on H22 liver cancer and the underlying mechanism. The structural characteristics of the polysaccharides of WCP were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance gel-permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, H22 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice were used to explore the anti-tumor effect of WCP (100 and 300 mg/kg/d). The mechanism by WCP inhibited H22 tumors was uncovered by the TUNEL assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin–eosin staining, quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Here, our results showed that WCP presented high purity with an average molecular weight of 2.1 × 106 Da and 2.19 × 104 Da. WCP was determined to be composed of mannose, glucose, and galactose. Notably, WCP could inhibit the proliferation of H22 tumors not only by improving immune function, but also by promoting the apoptosis of tumor cells, likely through the IL-10/STAT3/Bcl2 and Cyto-c/Caspase8/3 signaling pathways, in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Particularly, WCP had essentially no side effects compared to 5-FU, a common drug used in the treatment of liver cancer. In conclusion, WCP could be a potential anti-tumor product with strong regulatory effects in H22 liver cancer.

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products on Liver Cancer and Their Potential Mechanisms

“…Furthermore, high molecular weight polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps sinensis not only enhance the immune function of mice but also induce tumor cell apoptosis through the Cytochrome-c/Caspase8/3 and IL-10/STAT3/Bcl2 pathways, thereby exerting anti-tumor effects [ 33 ]. In H22 hepatocellular carcinoma tumor-bearing mouse models, Ulva lactuca polysaccharide (UIP) extracted from green algae inhibits tumor growth by modulating gut microbiota and metabolite composition.…”

“…One study found that the polysaccharide from wild Cordyceps significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in H22 tumor-bearing mice, improved blood routine indicators, increased the thymus index, decreased the spleen index, and increased the proportion of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and macrophages. It exhibited significant anti-tumor activity by enhancing host immune function [ 33 ]. Furthermore, a polysaccharide (ESPS) purified from Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker promoted lymphocyte proliferation and inhibited liver cancer cell growth by enhancing lymphocyte activity in vitro, primarily natural killer (NK) cells.…”

A Systematic Review on the Research Progress on Polysaccharides from Fungal Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…Moreover, a liver cancer model of H22 tumor-bearing mice was conducted to determine the anti-cancer effect and underlying mechanism of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides. Multiple experimental means of molecular biological uncovered that the anti-tumor mechanism of the large molecular weight polysaccharide from wild Cordyceps may be related to improving immune function and promoting the apoptosis of tumor cells [89]. WSG, a glucose-rich and water soluble polysaccharide isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, exhibited an anti-tumor effect on Murine Lewis lung carcinoma cell (LLC1)-induced lung cancer mice.…”

Cordyceps sinensis Polysaccharide Loaded on Black Phosphorus for Synergistic Immunotherapy and Photothermal Therapy of Cancer

“…1,2 Several studies have revealed that the extracts of C. sinensis can inhibit tumor cell growth. 3,4 Polysaccharides are the major pharmacologically active compounds of C. sinensis 5,6 and can improve immunity by stimulating immune cell function. 7 In addition, the polysaccharide fraction of C. sinensis can significantly inhibit the proliferation of HCT116 cells and other tumor cell lines, 8−10 eliciting antitumor immune responses.…”

“…sinensis can inhibit tumor cell growth. , Polysaccharides are the major pharmacologically active compounds of C. sinensis , and can improve immunity by stimulating immune cell function . In addition, the polysaccharide fraction of C.…”