The isolation and characterization of an immunomodulatory and anti-tumor polysaccharide preparation from Flammulina velutipes

Alkaline-soluble antitumor polysaccharide was prepared from the cell wall of the mushroom Flammulina velutipes. The backbones) of the polysaccharide is mainly composed of beta-(1-->3)-D-linked glucose and its molecular weight was estimated to be about 200 kD. The polysaccharide was found to be non-toxic by brine shrimp assay. When injected into mice intraperitoneally, the polysaccharide triggered proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and also vascular dilation and hemorrhage (VDH) response. The polysaccharide exhibited potent anti-tumor activity against sarcoma SC-180 in vivo but not in vitro.