Immunoregulatory actions of polysaccharides from Chinese herbal medicine.
BACKGROUND
Polysaccharides, one of main classes of bioactive substances from Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), have been indicated to have wide pharmacological activities, especially broad immunomodulatory and antitumour effects. However, their immunoregulatory mechanisms are still not fully understood yet.


METHODS
Polysaccharides from CHM (CHMPS) are reviewed with focus on their immunoregulatory function, describing their immunoregulatory actions on immune organs, immune cells and immune molecules, and discussing their effects on cell surface receptors and cell signaling pathways.


RESULTS
A better understanding of the immunoregulatory effects of CHMPS and their structure-function relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
CHMPS can active or regulate the immune system including innate and adaptive responses, and have profound effects on different diseases. Through examining the molecular mechanisms of the immunomodulating effects of CHMPS, it can be shown that CHMPS have the potential to be an adjuvant in cancer therapies.
South China University of Technology, College of Food and Bioengineering, Guangzhou, China.
Ming-Hua
MH
Jiang
Liang
L
Zhu
Jian-Guo
JG
Jiang
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface