Antitumor effect of a crude protein-bound polysaccharide substance extracted from Volvariella speciosa

Mushroom polysaccharides, as the main active ingredient in the mushroom, inhibit cancer cells by activating host immune system. These special properties along with minimal side effects make mushroom polysaccharides as novel anticancer therapies. The present study involved the investigation of polysaccharides from fruit bodies of Volvariella speciosa on growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell lines. In a pilot study two modes of treatment were used, prophylactically and treatment after tumor injection. The prophylactic treatment doesn't rule out its role in the antitumor effect by these PS. However, the other mode of treatment showed better results. A significant reduction in tumor volumes in tumor bearing mice treated with PS was accompanied with a significant reduction in both liver DNA and RNA in addition to an increase in the total lipids and proteins. A significant increase in SOD together with decrease in MDA was noticed. A highly significant decrease in Alk-Ph, ALT and AST and an elevation in albumin after treatment the groups of tumor-bearing mice with the PS substance compared with those saline-treated tumor-bearing mice. The haematological parameters were found to be altered toward normal values. An elevation of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12 and reduction in IL-10 were recorded. In the acute toxicity tests, no mortality or sign of induced modifications in the biochemical parameters were observed after PS treatment. The IR has characteristic bands attributed to (1−3) β glucan linkage with a protein moiety. These polysaccharides should be conducted in the future to achieve their use in different potential applications.