Anti-angiogenic effects and mechanisms of polysaccharides from Antrodia cinnamomea with different molecular weights

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Antrodia cinnamomea is a popular medicinal mushroom in Taiwan that has been widely used for treatment of various cancers and liver diseases. Aim of the study:This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect on angiogenesis of polysaccharides from mycelia of Antrodia cinnamomea (PMAC). Materials and methods: PMAC were extracted in boiling water, precipitated with 95% ethanol, and separated into four different molecular weights (100 kDa). Tube formation and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay were used to determine the in vitro and ex vivo anti-angiogenic effects. Results: Only the PMAC-mononuclear cells (MNCs)-conditioned medium (CM) with MW > 100 kDa significantly and concentration-dependently decreased the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor in human leukemia cells and inhibited the matrigel tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Similarly only the PMAC-MNC-CM with MW > 100 kDa significantly and concentration-dependently increased the levels of interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In addition, the ex vivo CAM assay revealed that only the PMAC with MW > 100 kDa significantly and dose-dependently inhibited neovascularization. Conclusions: PMAC with MW > 100 kDa are anti-angiogenic in vitro and ex vivo, and the effects are likely through immunomodulation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved