Anti-hepatocarcinoma effects of Aconitum coreanum polysaccharides

Crude polysaccharides (CACP) were extracted from the stems of Aconitum coreanum by water extraction and ethanol precipitation. In the present investigation, the chemical properties and antitumor activities of CACP were valuated. The results showed the oral administration of CACP could specifically inhibit the growth of H22 tumor cells by in vitro and in vivo model, and exhibited a significant lower cytotoxicity to nontumorous cell lines. Moreover, CACP treatment greatly prolonged the survival period in H22 ascites tumor-bearing mice. After CACP treated, most of H22 cells were arrested in G0/G1 phage determined by flow cytometry. These results suggested CACP exhibited significant antitumor activity, and it possessed a great potential for developing a novel antitumor drug.