Purification of a polysaccharide from Boschniakia rossica and its synergistic antitumor effect combined with 5-Fluorouracil

► Boschniakia rossica is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. ► A polysaccharide was prepared and its chemical analysis was preliminarily made. ► BRP alone or combined with 5-FU could inhibit S180 tumor growth. ► Damage to the immune system caused by 5-FU in S180-bearing mice was mitigated by BRP. ► BRP combined with 5-FU presented synergistic effects on antitumor activity in S180 tumor bearing mice.