Immunomodulatory activities of Ganoderma sinense polysaccharides in human immune cells

Polysaccharides play an anti-fibrotic role by regulating intestinal flora: A review of research progress

Fibrosis is a common pathological process affecting multiple organs. It refers to an increase in fibrous connective tissue and a decrease in parenchymal cells in damaged tissues or organs. This may lead to structural damage and functional decline or even organ failure. The incidence of fibrosis is increasing worldwide, and the need for safe and effective therapeutic drugs and treatments is pivotal. The intestinal tract has a complex network of exchanging information with various tissues in the body. It contains a sizeable microbial community of which the homeostasis and metabolites are closely related to fibrosis. Polysaccharides are a class of biomolecules present in natural products; they have potential value as anti-fibrotic prebiotics. Recently, polysaccharides have been found to improve fibrosis in different organs by decreasing inflammation and modulating the immune function and intestinal microbiota. In this paper, we reviewed the progress made in research concerning polysaccharides and organ fibrosis in relation to the intestinal microbiota from the pathogenesis of fibrosis to the relationship between the intestinal flora and fibrosis. Furthermore, we provide ideas and references for future polysaccharide-drug discovery and strategies for the treatment of fibrosis.

Discovery of dearomatized isoprenylated acylphloroglucinols with colon tumor suppressive activities in mice via inhibiting NFκB-FAT1-PDCD4 signaling activation

Dearomatized isoprenylated acylphloroglucinols (DIAPs) are specific natural products mainly distributed in the plants of genus Hypericum. In this study, guided by HPLC-UV screening, 46 DIAPs (approximately 70% of all DIAPs) including 20 new ones and an unprecedented architecture, were discovered from the roots of Hypericum henryi, which were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic, X-ray crystallography, and ECD methods. Compounds 1-7, 39, and 41-42 exhibited remarkable cytotoxicities (IC₅₀ = 0.84-5.63 μM) in human colon cancer HCT116 cells, in which 2 and 6 possessed selective cytotoxicities towards colon cancer cells. The preliminary structure-activity relationships of these tested compounds were discussed. In addition, mechanistic investigations demonstrated that 2 and 6 could significantly suppress the expressions of NFκB, FAT1, and promoted novel tumor suppressor gene PDCD4 in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, in HCT116 colon xenograft-bearing mouse model, treatments with 2 and 6 reduced the growth of xenograft tumors in dose-dependent manner. Expressions of FAT1 in tumors were also decreased in mice treated with 2 and 6, suggesting their anti-tumor effects were via FAT1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, this is the first report on the mechanistic and in vivo studies of DIAP, indicating that these metabolites can be considered as a new type of anti-colon cancer lead agents for further drug development.

Natural Polysaccharides and Their Derivates: A Promising Natural Adjuvant for Tumor Immunotherapy

The treatment process of tumor is advanced with the development of immunotherapy. In clinical experience, immunotherapy has achieved very significant results. However, the application of immunotherapy is limited by a variety of immune microenvironment. For a long time in the past, polysaccharides such as lentinan and Ganoderma lucidum glycopeptide have been used in clinic as adjuvant drugs to widely improve the immunity of the body. However, their mechanism in tumor immunotherapy has not been deeply discussed. Studies have shown that natural polysaccharides can stimulate innate immunity by activating upstream immune cells so as to regulate adaptive immune pathways such as T cells and improve the effect of immunotherapy, suggesting that polysaccharides also have a promising future in cancer therapy. This review systematically discusses that polysaccharides can directly or indirectly activate macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells etc., binding to their surface receptors, inducing PI3K/Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase, Notch and other pathways, promote their proliferation and differentiation, increasing the secretion of cytokines, and improve the state of immune suppression. These results provide relevant basis for guiding polysaccharide to be used as adjuvants of cancer immunotherapy.

Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms with Immunomodulatory and Anticancer Properties-A Review on Hong Kong's Experience

The immune modulating effects of selected herbs deserve careful studies to gain evidence-based support for their further development. We have been working hard on many items of medicinal herbs to gain insight into their immunomodulatory effects relevant to cancer treatment in particular, while infection control is not excluded. Nine of them have been selected to give the results of our exploration on their biological, particularly immunomodulatory activities. Since Hong Kong people especially favor one medicinal mushroom, viz. Coriolus versicolor, a number of clinical trials using Coriolus for cancer-related studies are included in this review. While immune modulation platforms are being built for relevant studies, a brief account on the research targets and related procedures are given.

Effectiveness of Scutellaria barbata water extract on inhibiting colon tumor growth and metastasis in tumor-bearing mice

The plant Scutellaria barbata (SB) is commonly used as herbal medicines for treating cancer. The present pre-clinical study aimed to validate the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (CP) recommended dosages of SB water extract (SBW) in treating colon tumors. The content of chemical marker scutellarin in SBW was quantified using UPLC. Mice bearing human HCT116 xenografts or murine colon26 tumors received oral administration of SBW or scutellarin for 4 weeks. Results showed that SBW (615 and 1,230 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments significantly reduced human xenograft weights by 28.7, 36.9 and 28.8%, respectively. Lung metastasis area could be ameliorated after SBW (615 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments by 23.4 and 29.5%, respectively. Expressions of colon cancer metastasis-related proteins E-cadherin, Tspan 8 and CXCR4, as well as Src kinase in tumors were first shown to be regulated by SBW. Furthermore, in murine colon26 tumor-bearing mice, SBW (615 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments reduced the orthotopic tumor burden by 94.7% and lung metastatic tumor burden by 94.1%, respectively. Our findings provided evidences that SBW (at the mouse equivalent dosages to clinical dosages recommended by CP) could exert anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects in colon cancer animal models.

Immunomodulatory and antitumour bioactive labdane diterpenoids from Leonurus japonicus

OBJECTIVES

Two labdane diterpenoids, leojapone B and heteronone B, were isolated from Leonurus japonicus Houtt., and their biological activity were evaluated in this study.

METHODS

Human and mouse cancer cells, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) were used to evaluate the activity of leojapone B and heteronone B, while the in vivo effects of leojapone B were further examined in Lewis Lung Cancer tumour-bearing mice.

KEY FINDINGS

In vitro studies showed that leojapone B selectively inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells, and both leojapone B and heteronone B inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in activated PBMCs. In tumour-bearing mice model, lung tumours were reduced in size in mice treated with intraperitoneal injections of leojapone B at 20 and 30 mg/kg for 14 days. The population ratio of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T cells in mouse spleens was found to be increased, while regulatory T cells were decreased after leojapone B treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibitory effects of leojapone B in mouse lung tumours were demonstrated for the first time in this study. The immunomodulatory activity of heteronone B were also demonstrated. Our findings indicated that both leojapone B and heteronone B may act as active components in L. japonicus.

A New Sterol From Sporoderm-Broken Ganoderma sinense Spores and Its Anticancer Activity

A new sterol, ganodermaside E (1), and 4 known sterols, (22 E,24 R)-3β,5α-dihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (2), (22 E,24 R)-3β,5α,9α-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-diene-6-one (3), (22 E,24 R)-ergosta-7,9(11),22-triene-3β,5α,6β-triol (4), and (22 E,24 R)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6α-triol (5), were isolated for the first time from the sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderm sinense Zhao, Xu et Zhang. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, all the compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity and migration inhibition on human non-small-lung cancer A549 cells. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxicity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 21.12 ± 1.46 µM. Compound 5 exhibited the strongest and most significant antimetastatic activity at concentrations of 100 and 200 µM.

GSP-2, a polysaccharide extracted from Ganoderma sinense, is a novel toll-like receptor 4 agonist

Ganoderma sinense is a Chinese unique medicinal fungus that has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Polysaccharides are considered to be biologically active ingredients due to their immune-modulating functions. Previously we found that GSP-2, a new polysaccharide isolated from Ganoderma sinense, exerts an immunomodulatory effect in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate how GSP-2 triggers immunologic responses and the implicated signaling pathways. GSP-2 effects were investigated both in a macrophagic cell line, RAW264.7, and in primary macrophages. Moreover, the molecular basis of GSP-2 recognition by immune cells, and the consequent activation of signaling cascades, were explored by employing recombinant human HEK293-TLR-Blue clones, individually overexpressing various Toll-like receptors. GSP-2 dose-dependently induced the overexpression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) but did not affect the expression of other TLRs. Moreover, GSP-2 induced TNFα secretion in primary macrophages from wild-type, but not TLR4-knockout mice. In addition, GSP-2 upregulated TLR4 protein expression and activated the MAPK pathway in RAW246.7 macrophages. Finally, GSP-2 induced the production of the cytokines TNFα, IL1β, and IL6. Our data demonstrated that GSP-2 was specifically recognized by TLR4, promoting cytokine secretion and immune modulation in macrophages.

Multiple modulatory activities of Andrographis paniculata on immune responses and xenograft growth in esophageal cancer preclinical models

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a malignant gastrointestinal cancer with high morbidity worldwide and is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in China. Even though surgery and/or chemotherapy/chemoradiation might achieve good therapeutic response, recurrence rate is high due to cancer metastasis. Hence, the use of alternative adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines, for metastatic EC remains a great desire of the patients. Our previous studies have demonstrated the anti-metastatic efficacy of hot water extract of Andrographis paniculata (APW) in human esophageal cancer cells and tumor-bearing nude mice.

PURPOSE

In the present study, the immunomodulatory activities of APW were further evaluated in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in a carcinogen-induced esophageal tumorigenesis model using immune-competent C57BL/6 mice. Besides, the inhibitory effects of APW on esophageal cancer cell line-based xenografts and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) were examined so as to illustrate the potential multi-targeted efficacies of APW in esophageal cancer in pre-clinical models.

RESULTS

In vitro results showed that APW could stimulate proliferation of PBMCs, as well as TNF-α and IFN-γproductions. In mice with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide-induced tumorigenesis, 21-day oral treatment with APW (1600 mg/kg) decreased the level of dysplasia in esophagus and significantly modulated the population of regulatory T cells. The cytokines productions by spleen lymphocytes of APW-treated mice were shifted towards normal resting state (i.e. unchallenged with carcinogen). Furthermore, APW treatment suppressed the growth of cell line-based xenografts by significantly increasing apoptosis in tumors, without causing severe body weight loss as chemotherapeutics did. Most importantly, the inhibitory effects of APW treatment on esophageal patient-derived xenografts growth were demonstrated for the first time. Besides, several diterpenes were detected in the plasma after oral administration of APW in mice, suggesting that multi-components of APW were bioavailable and might have contributed towards the varied pharmacological activities demonstrated in our studies.

CONCLUSION

APW was shown to possess anti-tumor, anti-metastatic and immunomodulatory activities in esophageal cancer cell-based and animal models, including immunocompromised mice model and clinically relevant PDX model. Our findings illustrated the potential multi-targeted efficacies of APW in esophageal cancer management.

Ganoderma sinense polysaccharide: An adjunctive drug used for cancer treatment

Ganoderma sinense is one of well-known herb medicine and has been used for 2000 years in China. G. lucidum and G. sinense are two family members of Ganoderma, a genus of polypore fungi. In Chinese, "Lingzhi" is designated as G. lucidum or red "Lingzhi" whereas "Zizhi" as G. sinense or purple "Lingzhi." The polysaccharides or glycans extracted from both G. lucidum and G. sinense have been developed into clinical drugs and recorded in Chinese Pharmacopeia. G. lucidum polysaccharide (GLPS) is one of a few non-hormonal drugs used for treating neurosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, atrophic myotonia and muscular dystrophy in China during the past 40 years. In contrast, G. sinense polysaccharide (GSP) tablet is approved as an adjunctive therapeutic drug in China for treating leukopenia and hematopoietic injury caused by concurrent chemo/radiation therapy during cancer treatment by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) in 2010. β-glucan, an established immunostimulanting polysaccharide, is one of the components in GSP. In this study, we will review the biological activities and preclinical studies of GSP in China based on literatures searches from CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), VIP (Chongqing VIP Chinese Scientific Journals Database), Wanfang database, and PubMed database. Both basic and preclinical studies showed that GSP has antitumor, antioxidant, anticytopenia, and unique mushroom-poison detoxification properties that are different from that of GLPS. Our goal is to provide a molecular picture that would allow in-depth evaluation of GSP as one of few glycan-based drugs that has been used as an immunomodulatory adjunctive drug during cancer therapy.

Advances in Research on Immunoregulation of Macrophages by Plant Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are among the most important members of the biopolymer family. They are natural macromolecules composed of monosaccharides. To date, more than 300 kinds of natural polysaccharide compounds have been identified. They are present in plants, animals, and microorganisms, and they engage in a variety of physiological functions. In the 1950s, due to the discovery of their immunoregulatory and anti-tumor activities, polysaccharides became a popular topic of research in pharmacology, especially in immunopharmacology. Plants are an important source of natural polysaccharides. Pharmacological and clinical studies have shown that plant polysaccharides have many functions, such as immune regulation, anti-tumor activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-viral functions, anti-radiation functions, and a hypoglycaemic effect. The immunomodulatory effects of plant polysaccharides have received much attention. Polysaccharides with these effects are also referred to as biological response modifiers (BRMs), and research on them is one of the most active areas of polysaccharide research. Thus, we summarize immunomodulatory effects of botanical polysaccharides isolated from different species of plants on the macrophage. The primary effect of botanical polysaccharides is to enhance and/or activate macrophage immune responses, including increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and enhancing secretion of cytokines and chemokines. Therefore, it is believed that botanical polysaccharides have significant therapeutic potential, and represent a new method for discovery and development of novel immunomodulatory medicine.

Assessment of Polysaccharides from Mycelia of genus Ganoderma by Mid-Infrared and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Ganoderma lingzhi (G. lingzhi), G. sinense, G. applanatum, etc. belongs to the Ganoderma genus of polypore mushrooms which contain rich polysaccharides valuable for nutrition and positive medicinal effects. In order to evaluate polysaccharide content in Ganoderma mycelia obtained in the fermentation process quickly and accurately, in this work we employed infrared spectroscopy to examine different Ganoderma stains of samples from diversified sources. Through mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy, we could identify the most relevant spectral bands required for polysaccharide evaluation, and through near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, we could establish the quantification model for making satisfactory prediction of polysaccharide ingredient content. As such, we have achieved an effective and convenient approach to quantitative assessment of the total polysaccharides in Ganoderma mycelia but also demonstrated that infrared spectroscopy can be a powerful tool for quality control of Ganoderma polysaccharides obtained from industrial production.

Overview of Ganoderma sinense polysaccharide-an adjunctive drug used during concurrent Chemo/Radiation therapy for cancer treatment in China

Ganoderma sinense or "Chinese Lingzhi" is a well-known medicinal fungus in China for more than 2000 years. Polysaccharide is the main immunomodulatory and antitumor component in G. sinense. In 2010, G. sinense polysaccharide (GSP) tablet is approved as an adjunctive therapeutic drug in China for treating leukopenia and hematopoietic injury caused by concurrent chemo/radiation therapy during cancer treatment by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). β-glucan, an established immunostimulant, is one of the components in GSP. Based on CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), VIP (Chongqing VIP Chinese Scientific Journals Database), Wanfang database, and PubMed searches, we have not only summarized but also translated all the basic and preclinical studies about GSP published in Chinese into English in this review article. Unfortunately, all the clinical studies about GSP tablet could not be found during the search or by contacting the drug manufacturers. However, both basic and preclinical studies showed that GSP has antitumor, antioxidant, anticytopenia, and unique mushroom-poison detoxification properties that are different from that of G. lucidum polysaccharide, another "Lingzhi" polysaccharide. The structure and molecular mechanisms of GSP are also discussed. This article urges availability of clinical study results of GSP tablet that would allow in-depth evaluation if the tablet is appropriate to serve as an immunomodulatory drug during cancer therapy at world stage.

Fuzheng Qingjie granules potentiate the anticancer effect of cyclophosphamide by regulating cellular immune function and inducing apoptosis in Hepatoma 22 tumor-bearing mice

Fuzheng Qingjie (FZQJ) is a polyherbal Chinese medicine that has previously been implemented as an adjuvant therapy for gastrointestinal cancer. The present study investigated whether FZQJ is able to potentiate the anticancer effect of cyclophosphamide (CTX). Hepatoma 22 tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into a vehicle group, CTX group, FZQJ group and combination (CTX+FZQJ) group. In addition, untreated mice without H22 cells served as blank controls. Seven days post-treatment, the mice were sacrificed and the tumors were weighed. Blood cells were evaluated using an automatic hemocytometer analyzer and flow cytometer. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were evaluated using a radioimmunoassay. Apoptotic cells were observed using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay. Alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were examined using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The results demonstrated that the tumor inhibitory rate and apoptosis index were higher in the combination group, compared with those in the CTX group. Notably, FZQJ was able to alleviate CTX-induced decreases in the numbers of white blood cells and platelets, CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets, and the concentration of hemoglobin, body weight and thymus index, and increase serum TNF-α and IL-2 levels without overt hepatorenal toxicity. These results suggest that FZQJ granules may enhance the anticancer effect of CTX, in addition to alleviating the side effects.

New potential beneficial effects of actein, a triterpene glycoside isolated from Cimicifuga species, in breast cancer treatment

Actein is a triterpene glycoside isolated from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga foetida (Chinese herb “shengma”) which could inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Nevertheless, the effect of actein on angiogenesis, which is an essential step for tumor growth and metastasis, has never been reported. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of actein on angiogenesis using human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), matrigel plug and tumor-bearing mouse models. Our results showed that actein significantly inhibited the proliferation, reduced the migration and motility of endothelial cells, and it could suppress the protein expressions of VEGFR1, pJNK and pERK, suggesting that JNK/ERK pathways were involved. In vivo results showed that oral administration of actein at 10 mg/kg for 7 days inhibited blood vessel formation in the growth factor-containing matrigel plugs. Oral actein treatments (10–15 mg/kg) for 28 days resulted in decreasing mouse 4T1 breast tumor sizes and metastasis to lungs and livers. The apparent reduced angiogenic proteins (CD34 and Factor VIII) expressions and down-regulated metastasis-related VEGFR1 and CXCR4 gene expressions were observed in breast tumors. Our novel findings provide insights into the use of actein for development of anti-angiogenic agents for breast cancer.

Fuzheng Qingjie Granules Inhibit Growth of Hepatoma Cells via Inducing Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis and Enhancing Immune Function

Fuzheng Qingjie (FZQJ) granules, a compound Chinese medicine, have been used as an adjuvant therapy for alimentary tract cancers. However, the underlying anticancer mechanisms are still not well understood. In the present study, HepG2 cells were treated with FZQJ-containing serum. Cell proliferation was evaluated using MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed using a flow cytometer. Cell ultrastructure was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) was examined with JC-1 dye. In H22 tumor-bearing mice, CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, CD3⁺ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood were evaluated cytometrically. Interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were measured using radioimmunoassay.The mRNA levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, caspase 3 and 9, PARP, and CD69 were examined by Western blotting. The apoptotic cells in tissues were observed using TUNEL method. Alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (CRE) were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The results showed that FZQJ-containing serum remarkably inhibited proliferation of HepG2 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners, induced HepG2 cell apoptosis and caused a decrease of Δψ. Analysis of tumor tissue showed that FZQJ-induced apoptosis was accompanied by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax, release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3 and 9, and cleavage of PARP. In addition, FZQJ increased the percentages of CD4⁺ T and NK cells, the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells as well as the levels of serum TNF-α. FZQJ also increased CD69 expression in tumor tissue. No hepatorenal toxicity was observed in H22 tumor-bearing mice. These results indicated that FZQJ could inhibit the growth of hepatoma cells via regulating immune function and inducing mitochondria mediated apoptosis.

The immunoregulatory effects of Chinese herbal medicine on the maturation and function of dendritic cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has a long-history for treatment of various human diseases including tumors, infection, autoimmune diseases in Asian countries, especially in China, Japan, Korea and India. CHM was traditionally used as water extracts and many Chinese herbs were considered to be good for health, which can regulate immune system to protect host from diseases. With the progress of technology, the components of CHM were identified and purified, which included polysaccharides, saponins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and so on. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates that CHM and its components can regulate immune system through targeting dendritic cells (DCs). We hereby reviewed the immunoregulatory effects of CHM on the maturation, cytokine production and function of DCs. This should help to shed light on the potential mechanism of CHM to improve the usage and clinical efficacy of CHM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literatures about the effects of CHM on DCs were searched in electronic databases such as Pubmed, Google Scholar and Scopus from 2000 to 2014. 'CHM', 'DC' or 'immune' were used as keywords for the searches. We only reviewed literatures published in English.

RESULTS

Over 600 publications were found about 'CHM&immune' and around 120 literatures about 'CHM&DC' were selected and reviewed in this paper. All publications are backed by preclinical or clinical evidences both in vitro and in vivo. Some CHM and its components promote the maturation, pro-inflammatory cytokine production and function of DCs and as the adjuvant enhance immune responses against tumor and infection. In contrast, other CHM and its components suppress the activation status of DCs to induce regulatory T cells, inhibit allergic and inflammatory responses, ameliorate autoimmune diseases, and prolong the allograft survival. A large body of evidence shows that CHM and its components regulate the activation status of DCs through TLRs, NF-κB, MAPK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

This review provides useful information for understanding the mechanism of CHM on the treatment of diseases, which facilitates to improve the efficacy of CHM. Based on the immunoregulatory effects of CHM on DCs, it indicated that some CHM and its components could be use to develop adjuvant to enhance antigen-specific immune responses or tolerogenic adjuvant to generate antigen-specific immune tolerance.

Traditional Chinese medicine and cancer: History, present situation, and development

Cancer treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history. Heritage provides general conditions for the innovation and development of TCM in oncology. This article reviews the development of TCM in oncology, interprets the position and function of TCM for cancer prevention and treatment, summarizes the innovations of TCM in oncology over nearly fifty years, and suggests the development direction.

Plant components for immune modulation targeting dendritic cells: implication for therapy

Medicinal plant utilization is as old as human life. There are thousands of herbs consumed for medicinal purposes all over the world, especially in east. Their value has not decreased over time and many modern pharmaceuticals have originated from traditional medicinal plants. Studying the reason for their influence is an attractive field of medicine. Among various types of herbs, some function via their immunomodulatory effects. Experiments have shown the regulatory influences of several plants on each type of immune cell, including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages and NK cells. Because of the prominent role of DCs in antigen presentation as the major APC, this review summarizes the immunomodulatory effects of some plants performed through DC effects.

A comparative study on immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides from two official species of Ganoderma (Lingzhi)

Two Ganoderma species, G. lucidum and G. sinense, are listed as Lingzhi in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and they are considered to have the same therapeutic effects. Polysaccharides were the main immunomodulatory and anticancer components in Ganoderma. In this study, the chemical characters and the effects of polysaccharides from G. lucidum (GLPS) and G. sinense (GSPS) on macrophage functions were investigated and compared. Chemical studies showed that GLPS and GSPS were different, displaying various molecular weight distribution and ratio of monosaccharide components. In vitro pharmacological studies showed that both GLPS and GSPS had potent effects on macrophage functions, such as promoting macrophage phagocytosis, increasing their release of nitric oxide and cytokines interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Generally, GLPS was more powerful than GSPS. This study is helpful to elucidate the active components and pharmacological variation between the 2 Ganoderma species. The structure-activity relationship of polysaccharides from Ganoderma needs further study.

Structure elucidation and immunomodulatory activity of a beta glucan from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinense

A polysaccharide named GSP-2 with a molecular size of 32 kDa was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinense. Its structure was well elucidated, by a combined utilization of chemical and spectroscopic techniques, to be a β-glucan with a backbone of (1→4)- and (1→6)-Glcp, bearing terminal- and (1→3)-Glcp side-chains at O-3 position of (1→6)-Glcp. Immunological assay exhibited that GSP-2 significantly induced the proliferation of BALB/c mice splenocytes with target on only B cells, and enhanced the production of several cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and derived dendritic cells. Besides, the fluorescent labeled GSP-2 was phagocytosed by the RAW 264.7 cells and induced the nitric oxide secretion from the cells.

Triterpene-loaded microemulsion using Coix lacryma-jobi seed extract as oil phase for enhanced antitumor efficacy: preparation and in vivo evaluation

Ganoderma lucidum triterpene-loaded microemulsions (TMEs) using Coix lacryma-jobi (adlay) seed oil as oil phase were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for enhanced antitumor activity. Ternary phase diagrams for the TMEs were constructed and the optimal preparation was developed. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering showed that this formulation had a well defined spherical shape, a homogeneous distribution, a small size, and a narrow polydispersity index. The drug-loading rate was determined to be 9.87% by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and acceptable stability under various stimulations in vitro was confirmed. Importantly, the TME formulation showed a significantly greater antiproliferative effect towards human lung carcinoma (A549) cells and murine lung tumor (Lewis) cells in comparison with suspension formulations containing triterpene and adlay seed oil as a positive control. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of the TMEs was about 0.62 mg crude drug per mL, being 2.5-fold improved relative to that of the corresponding suspension formulation, but no significant cytotoxicity was observed for the bare microemulsion in A549 cells and Lewis cells. In vivo, the TME formulation showed markedly enhanced antitumor efficacy in a xenograft model of Lewis lung cancer after intragastric administration. Compared with cyclophosphamide, the TME formulation showed similar antitumor activity but less general toxicity. These results indicate the feasibility of using a microemulsion to increase the solubility of triterpene and adlay. TMEs hold promise as an efficient drug delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer.