Polysaccharides fractionated from the mycelia of Poria cocos (PCME) were evaluated for antitumor activity against several mouse tumors.
PCME administered intraperitoneally, but not orally, inhibited markedly the growth of sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich carcinoma implanted subcutaneously. In the inhibition of the growth of these two tumors, PCME were more effective than Krestin (PSK).
PCME administered intraperitoneally increased somewhat the lifespan of mice inoculated intraperitoneally with IMC carcinoma and sarcoma 180, but were found to be inactive against intraperitoneally-implanted L1210 leukemia, P388 leukemia and B16 melanoma.
These results indicate that against mouse tumors, PCME have similar antitumor spectrum to other polysaccharides such as PSK or lentinan.
