Purification, characterization and anticancer activity of a polysaccharide from Panax ginseng

► A homogenous polysaccharide (PGPW1) was purified from Panax ginseng. ► The antitumor potential of PGPW1 on human bladder T24 cells was evaluated in vitro. ► PGPW1 could significantly inhibit the proliferation of T24 cells ► PGPW1 had an efficient anti-metastatic activity to T24 cells. ► The binding of 3H-NMS to M3 muscarinic receptors of T24 cells was suppressed by PGPW1.