Antrodia camphorata polysaccharides exhibit anti-hepatitis B virus effects

Polysaccharides were extracted from fruiting bodies and cultured mycelia from five Antrodia camphorata strains. Polysaccharide profiles of the five strains, as determined by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography, showed varying yields and composition of neutral sugars. A. camphorata fruiting bodies also had different polysaccharide patterns compared to the cultured mycelium. Analysis of 26-day-old mycelia showed that the neutral sugars galactose, glucose, mannose, and galactosamine were predominant. All mycelia polysaccharide preparations exhibited anti-hepatitis B virus activity. Polysaccharides from strain B86 at a concentration of 50 microg ml(-1) showed the highest level of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen effect, which was higher than alpha-interferon at a dosage of 1000 U ml(-1). Only strains B86 and 35398 had substantial anti-hepatitis B e antigen activities. None of the polysaccharides exhibited cytotoxic effects.