Anticancer Effect of Plant-Derived Polysaccharides on Mice

Tupistra chinensis is a widely used medicinal plant in Hubei Province, China. In our study, we investigated the effect of polysaccharides component from Tupistra chinensis on mice in vivo. The mice H22 hepatocarcinoma animal model was established firstly. Then, the mice were fed with different doses of polysaccharides derived from Tupistra chinensis (one time each day). The neoplasm growth condition was analyzed and histological and electron microscopic analyses were performed. Compared to the control, Tupistra chinensis significantly inhibited the neoplasm growth. Large mass necrosis in the mouse model was observed under the light microscope and the necrosis area was significantly increased in the Tupistra chinensis-treated mice. Electron microscopic observations showed that severe apoptosis occurred in the cancer tissue in the mouse model and apoptosis was also significantly increased in Tupistra chinensis-treated mice. Our study demonstrated that Tupistra chinensis could inhibit the growth of H22 hepatocarcinoma. The mechanisms could involve the inhibitory effects of Tupistra chinensis on apoptosis, although the precise mechanisms remained to be elucidated in future study.