Anti-angiogenic effects and mechanisms of polysaccharides from Antrodia cinnamomea with different molecular weights

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAntrodia cinnamomea is a popular medicinal mushroom in Taiwan that has been widely used for treatment of various cancers and liver diseases.Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect on angiogenesis of polysaccharides from mycelia of Antrodia cinnamomea (PMAC).Materials and methodsPMAC were extracted in boiling water, precipitated with 95% ethanol, and separated into four different molecular weights (<5, 5–30, 30–100, >100 kDa). Tube formation and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay were used to determine the in vitro and ex vivo anti-angiogenic effects.ResultsOnly the PMAC-mononuclear cells (MNCs)-conditioned medium (CM) with MW > 100 kDa significantly and concentration-dependently decreased the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor in human leukemia cells and inhibited the matrigel tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Similarly only the PMAC-MNC-CM with MW > 100 kDa significantly and concentration-dependently increased the levels of interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). In addition, the ex vivo CAM assay revealed that only the PMAC with MW > 100 kDa significantly and dose-dependently inhibited neovascularization.ConclusionsPMAC with MW > 100 kDa are anti-angiogenic in vitro and ex vivo, and the effects are likely through immunomodulation.