Antitumorpharmacological mechanism of the oral liquid of Poriacocos polysaccharide

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe liquid oral formulation of Poria cocos polysaccharides is composed of polysaccharides of Lentinusedodes, Ganodermalucidum and Poria cocos(1:1:2), which are all fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharides extracted from these fungi have been reported to exhibit an antitumor effect by modulating the immune system.Aim of the studyThe present study aimed to clarify the antitumor mechanism of an orally administered liquid containing Poriacocos and to further provide clinical guidance.Materials and MethodsIn this study, the effects of an orally administered liquid containing Poriacocos polysaccharides on the solid tumors formed from sarcoma 180 cells in mice were evaluated. The protein expression of Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9in the thymus, spleen and liver tissues in the mice was determined by Western blot analysis. In addition, hematoxylin-eosin（H&E）staining and immunohistochemistry were performed on thymus, spleen and liver tissue and the positive staining rate was calculated for the three protein expression.ResultsThe liquid oral formulation of Poriacocos polysaccharides reduced Bcl-2 protein levels and increased caspase-3 and -9 protein levels in sarcoma 180 cells.ConclusionThe mechanism underlying the antitumor effects of the oral liquid formulation of Poriacocos polysaccharides involved inhibition of Bcl-2 expression and activation of caspase-9 expression in sarcoma 180 cells. Furthermore, the downstream caspase-3 promoter cascade was activated and cell apoptosis was activated in sarcoma 180 cells.

113