Antitumor polysaccharide preparations G-Z and P-Z were fractionated from the water soluble extracts of Ganoderma applanatum (PERS.) PAT and Phellinus linteus (BERK. et CURT) AOSHIMA, basidiomycetes of Polyporaceae, respectively, by fractional precipitation with ethanol and cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide. The structures of G-Z and P-Z consist of β-(1→3), (1→4) linked D-glucose residue, and β-(1→3) linked D-glucose residue, respectively. These polysaccharide preparations have marked antitumor activity against transplanted sarcoma 180 in mice, and a complete regression of tumors was observed in more than half of animals with no sign of toxicity. Some derivatives of P-Z were synthesized and their antitumor effects were also examined.
