The inhibitory effect of a polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula on tumor growth and metastasis in vitro

► An acidic polysaccharide (CPPA) was purified from Codonopsis pilosula. ► CPPA had a potent anti-metastatic effect on HO-8910 cells in vitro. ► CPPA had a significant inhibitor effect on the proliferation of HO-8910 cells. ► The CD44 expression on the HO-8910 cells was attenuated by CPPA treatment. ► CPPA may be a candidate compound for the prevention of tumor metastasis.