Induction of tumoricidal activity in mouse peritoneal macrophages by ginseng polysaccharide

This study examined the effects of ginseng polysaccharide (GPS) on mouse peritoneal macrophage (PM)-mediated cytotoxicity towards K562, HL-60, or KG1α cells. GPS had no direct effect on killing of tumor cells. However, when mouse PMs were treated with GPS, cytotoxic activity against K562, HL-60, or KG1α cells was significantly induced. In addition, phagocytic activity was enhanced in GPS-treated mouse PMs compared to the control. The expressions of CD68, ACP and α-ANE in mouse PMs were increased by the treatment with GPS. Moreover, the levels of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 were increased and the production of nitric oxide (NO) was enhanced. Taken together, these results suggest that GPS possess a potent antitumor activity by stimulating macrophage and a potentiality as an immunomodulator against diseases such as cancer.