Protective effects of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides against chemotherapy-related liver injury

doi:10.19803/j.1672-8629.20250676

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the protective effect of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides against chemotherapy-associated liver injury (CALI) in mice and the underlying mechanism and to evaluate its antitumor activity. Methods Male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into four groups using a random number table method: a normal control group, model group, Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides group（100, 200 and 400 mg·kg^-1）, and positive drug group. The model group was intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin, oxaliplatin, cisplatin combined with paclitaxel, and cisplatin combined with gemcitabine to establish models of mouse liver injury. Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides and positive control drugs were administered via intragastric gavage. The protective effects against CALI were assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, as well as hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides on cancer cell proliferation was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay across three cancer types and nine different cell lines (liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer). Results Polyporus umbellatus Polysaccharides significantly attenuated the chemotherapeutic drug-induced increase in serum ALT and AST levels (P<0.05), and significantly enhanced the activities of T-SOD and GSH-Px while reducing the MDA content in liver tissues (P<0.05). The inhibitory effects of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides on the proliferation of tested cancer cells were both dose- and time-dependent, with particularly notable effects observed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells Huh7 (IC₅₀=2.82 mg·mL^-1 at 96 h) and MHCC97H (IC₅₀=0.90 mg·mL^-1 at 96 h). Conclusion These findings suggest that Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides inhibit tumor cell proliferation and protect against CALI through an antioxidant mechanism. This dual-effect property offers a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of CALI.

Key words: Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides, Liver Injury, Anti-Tumor, Chemotherapy Associated Liver Injury(CALI), Mice

CLC Number:

R994.11

Zhang Yuanyuan, Hu Kaiyong, Zhang Min, Liu Min, Liu Dahui, Li Jinxin, Wang Qiwei, Peng Pei, Huang Qian. Protective effects of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharides against chemotherapy-related liver injury[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance, 2026, 23(7): 783-789.

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URL: https://zgywjj.magtechjournal.com/EN/10.19803/j.1672-8629.20250676

https://zgywjj.magtechjournal.com/EN/Y2026/V23/I7/783

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