Structural characterization and anti-tumor activity of a novel heteropolysaccharide isolated from Taxus yunnanensis

TMP70S-1, a novel water-soluble polysaccharide with molecular weight of 17.37 kDa, was isolated from Taxus yunnanensis Cheng et L. K. Fu by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography on the DEAE-Cellulose 52 and gel permeation on Sephacryl S-100. It was constituted of d-rhamnose, d-galactose, d-xylose in the molar ration of 2.01:6.74:1. According to total hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, methylation analysis, in combination with NMR studies, the predicted structure of TMP70S-1 was shown as follows: vitro anti-tumor experiments of Hela and HT1080 cells by the method of MTT showed that TMP70S-1 could have a potent possibility for the selection as an anti-tumor agent.