Purification, characterization, and antitumor activity of a novel glucan from the fruiting bodies of <i>Coriolus Versicolor</i>

<div><p>Cancer is one of the most common causes of deaths worldwide. Herein, we report an efficient natural anticancer glucan (CVG) extracted from <i>Coriolus Versicolar</i> (CV). CVG was extracted by the hot water extraction method followed by ethanol precipitation and purified using gas exclusion chromatography. Structural analysis revealed that CVG has a linear α-glucan chain composed of only (1→ 6)-α-D-Glc<i>p</i>. The antitumor activity of CVG on Sarcoma-180 cells was investigated <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. Mice were treated with three doses of CVG (40, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) for 9 days. Tumor weight, relative spleen, thymus weight, and lymphocyte proliferation were studied. A significant increase (<i>P< 0</i>.<i>01</i>) in relative spleen and thymus weight and a decrease (<i>P< 0</i>.<i>01</i>) in tumor weight at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were observed. The results obtained demonstrate CVG has antitumor activity towards Sarcoma-180 cells by its immunomodulation activity.</p>