Potentiation of Host-Mediated Antitumor Activity by a β-Glucan Derivedfrom Mycelia of Cochliobolus miyabeanus

Abstract

A polysaccharide (6-branched β-1, 3-glucan, As-I) extracted from mycelia of Cochliobolus miyabeanus (Ascomycetes) inhibited the growth of against mouse syngeneic tumors (80% inhibition of MM-46 carcinoma and 30% inhibition of IMC carcinoma) when injected i.p. (0.1 mg/kg/d). As-I enhanced the phagocytosis of syngeneic tumor cells by macrophages about 1.5 times, and the production of superoxide anion about 1.2 times. As-I also activated natural killer cells and increased the activity of killer T cells about 1.3 times.