title: Effect of molecular mass on antitumor activity of heteropolysaccharide from Poria cocos.
abstract: A water-soluble heteropolysaccharide ac-PCM0 from Poria cocos was successfully fractionated using a preparative size exclusion chromatography (SEC) column, and their weight-average molecular mass (M(w)) was characterized by analytical SEC combined with laser light scattering (SEC-LLS). The results indicate that the fractions having relatively high M(w) exhibited higher inhibition ratio in vivo antitumor activity than those having M(w) below 3.29 x 10(4). However, the relatively low molecular mass was beneficial to the in vitro antitumor activity. Moreover, ac-PCM0 has a significantly higher enhancement ratio of the body weight than 5-fluorouracil, and its 50% lethal dose is above 1250 mg/kg, indicating a nontoxic nature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, China. lnzhang@public.wh.hb.cn
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Fanbo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Peter Chi Keung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D020072:Polyporales / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011134:Polysaccharides