Rhizopus nigricans polysaccharide activated macrophages and suppressed tumor growth in CT26 tumor-bearing mice

In this study, a homogeneous polysaccharide (RPS-1) was extracted from liquid-cultured mycelia of Rhizopus nigricans. The weight-average molecular weight of RPS-1 was 1.617 x 10(7) g/mol and structural characterization indicated that RPS-1 was a non-starch glucan which consisted of a backbone structure of (1 -> 4)-linked alpha-D-glucopyranosyl residues substituted at the O-6 position with alpha-D-glucopyranosyl branches. RPS-1 stimulated the production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by triggering phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B p65 in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Moreover, intragastric administration of RPS-1 improved the immune function of CT26 tumor-bearing mice and significantly inhibited the growth of transplanted tumor. In combination with 5-FU, RPS-1 enhanced antitumor activity of 5-FU and alleviated its toxicity on immune system. These findings suggested that RPS-1 has the potential for the development of functional foods and dietary supplements.