Botanical polysaccharides: macrophage immunomodulation and therapeutic potential.

Polysaccharide biological response modifiers.

Panax ginseng has been used as a medicinal plant in China for thousands of years. Current use in Western countries has been diverse, with focused research on cancer therapeutics. P. ginseng apparently mitigates cancer through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic mechanisms to influence gene expression. Additional mechanisms of investigation include influence on neurotransmission and immunosurveillance. Low toxicity and positive studies in concomitant use with other chemotherapeutic agents is promising. Although there is no conclusive evidence of P. ginseng curing cancer, research has continually found tumor inhibition, especially in the promotion and progression phases.

Cancer prevention and therapeutics: Panax ginseng.

Ginseng, the 'Immunity Boost': The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune System.

Purification, physicochemical characterisation and anticancer activity of a polysaccharide from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves.

The root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is one of the most popular natural tonics in oriental countries. In this study, we have isolated polysaccharide fraction of Panax ginseng (ginsan) and examined its effect on the function of murine peritoneal macrophages. When macrophages were treated with ginsan, cytotoxic activity against B16 melanoma cells was significantly induced. In addition, the levels of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6 and Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were increased and the production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen components such as nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was enhanced. Moreover, phagocytic activity was induced in ginsan-treated macrophages compared to the control. The expression of CD14 and 1-Ab on murine peritoneal macrophages was increased by the treatment with ginsan, while the expression of CD11b was decreased. Taken together, these results suggest that ginsan has an immunopotentiating effects on macrophages and these abilities could be used clinically for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Immunostimulating effects of acidic polysaccharides extract of panax ginseng on macrophage function

In the course of searching immunomodulators from natural sources, the protein-bound polysaccharide, CM-Ala, has been isolated from the water extract ofChelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae). The immunostimulatory characteristics have been investigated in several experiments such as generation of activated killer (AK) cells, proliferation of splenocytes, activation of macrophages and granulocyte macrophage-colony forming cell (GM-CFC) assay. Of the fractions obtained using Sephacryl S200 column chromatography, CM-Ala was the most effective fraction that augmented the cytotoxicity against Yac-1 tumor cells from 0.88% to 34.18% by culturing with splenocytes for 5 days. CM-Ala also enhanced nitric oxide production by two fold in peritoneal macrophages and exhibited antitumor activity. It showed mitogenic activity on both spleen cells and bone marrow cells. CM-Ala induced proliferation of splenocytes by 84 fold and increased GM-CFC numbers by 1.48 fold over than the non-treated. On the contrary, CM-Ala had cytotoxic activity to a diverse group of tumor cells. From the above results, we proposed that CM-Ala has a possibility of an effective antitumor immunostimulator.

Immunomodulatory activity of protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from Chelidonium majus.

We earlier reported that CM-AIa isolated fromChelidonium majus had mitogenic activity, generated lymphokine-activated killer cells, and increased the number of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC). In an extended effort to search for other immunostimulatory effects, we evaluated the protective effects of in vivo injected CM-AIa against irradiation. CM-AIa was found to increase the number of bone marrow cells, spleen cells, GM-CFC, and platelets in irradiated mice. In addition, this agent induced endogenous production of cytokines such as interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor a, which are required for hematopoietic recovery. We also demonstrated that CM-AIa treatment 24 hours before irradiation protected mice with 80% survival at lethal dose 100/15. These findings indicate that CM-AIa may be a useful agent for reducing the time needed for reconstitution of hematopoietic cells after irradiation treatment.

Hyun-Ok Yang

Papers

Immunostimulating effects of acidic polysaccharides extract of panax ginseng on macrophage function

Immunomodulatory activity of protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from Chelidonium majus.

Radiation protective effect of an extract from Chelidonium majus.