Immunologic Effect of Polysaccharides Extracted from Sipunculus nudus (SNP) on Hepatoma HepG2-bearing Mice

Since many studies have clarified the biological activity of polysaccharides, we investigated the effect of SNP which was the water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Sipunculus nudus on Hepatoma HepG2-bearing Mice to verify the potential of SNP as an effective clinical agent for liver cancer therapy. SNP were administered at the doses of 50,100, and 200 mg/kg to HepG2-bearing mice to determine their antitumor effects. SNP had an inhibitory effect on the growth of HepG2 cells and enhanced the immunological effect on HepG2 tumor-bearing mice. SNP increased the expression of IL-2, IFNγ, and TNF-α cytokines in serum, suggesting that SNP can strengthen the antitumor immune response. In addition, SNP increased ATF4, DDIT3, and IkBα expression and decreased CYR61, HSP90, and VEGF expression, all of which are proteins involved in antitumor activity and cell death/ survival. our results suggested that SNP may be a novel antitumor agent.