Immunomodulation and Anti-Cancer Activity of Polysaccharide-Protein Complexes

Authors: C.Ooi V.E.; Liu F.

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 7, Number 7, July 2000 , pp. 715-729(15)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

In the last three decades, numerous polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes have been isolated from mushrooms and used as a source of therapeutic agents. The most promising biopharmacological activities of these biopolymers are their immunomodulation and anti-cancer effects. They are mainly present as glucans with different types of glycosidic linkages such as (1-3), (1-6)-b-glucans and (1-3)-a-glucans, and as true herteroglycans, while others mostly bind to protein residues as polysaccharide-protein complexes. Three antitumor mushroom polysaccharides, i.e. lentinan, schizophyllan and protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK, Krestin), isolated respectively, from Lentinus edodes, Schizophyllum commune and Coriolus versicolor, have become large market items in Japan. Lentinan and schizophyllan are pure b-glucans, whereas PSK is a protein-bound b-glucan. A polysaccharide peptide (PSP), isolated from a strain of Coriolus versicolor in China, has also been widely used as an anti-cancer and immunomodulatory agent. Although the mechansim of their antitumor action is still not completely clear, these polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes are suggested to enhance cell-mediated immune responses in vivo and in vitro and act as biological response modifiers. Potentiation of the host defense system may result in the activation of many kinds of immune cells that are vitally important for the maintenance of homeostasis. Polysaccharides or polysaccharide-protein complexes are considered as multi-cytokine inducers that are able to induce gene expression of vaious immunomodulatory cytokines and cytokine receptors. Some interesting studies focus on investigation of the relationship between their structure and antitumor activity, elucidation of their antitumor mechanism at the molecular level, and improvement of their various biological activities by chemical modifications.

Keywords: immunomodulation; anticancer activiity; polysaccharide protein complex; antitumor mushroom polysaccharides; lentinan; schizophyllan; lentinus edodes; schizophyllum commune; protein bound glucan; coriolus versicolor; D glucans; heteroglycans; boletus; edulis; clitopilus; abortivous; tricholoma mongolicum; tricholoma lobayense; ganoderma lucidum; antimicrobial activity; antiviral activity

Language: English

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867003374705

Publication date: 2000-07-01

• Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

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