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Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Polysaccharides against Gastric Cancer

Summary

This review explores how natural polysaccharides from mushrooms, seaweed, plants, and traditional herbs can fight gastric cancer. These compounds work by triggering cancer cell death, stopping tumor growth, and boosting the body’s immune system. Unlike conventional chemotherapy drugs that cause serious side effects, these natural polysaccharides offer a safer alternative that can work alongside existing treatments to improve patient survival.

Background

Gastric cancer is a serious health threat with over one million new cases annually and is the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer. Current chemotherapy treatments cause significant adverse reactions. Polysaccharides from natural sources have emerged as promising therapeutic agents with anti-cancer activity and lower toxicity.

Objective

This comprehensive review examines the anti-gastric cancer mechanisms of polysaccharides from fungi, algae, plants, and Chinese herbal medicines published between 2000-2020. The review aims to consolidate knowledge on how polysaccharides induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, and enhance immune responses against gastric cancer.

Results

Over 60 natural polysaccharides demonstrate anti-gastric cancer activity. Polysaccharides regulate multiple signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT, MAPK, Fas/FasL, Wnt/β-catenin, IGF-IR, and TGF-β to induce apoptosis, cause cell cycle arrest, and inhibit migration and invasion. PSK from Coriolus versicolor showed clinical efficacy in improving survival rates in gastric cancer patients.

Conclusion

Natural polysaccharides represent promising therapeutic candidates for gastric cancer with multiple mechanisms of action. Future research should focus on clinical trials to further evaluate efficacy and explore relationships between structural characteristics and anti-cancer activity to guide development of new polysaccharide-based therapeutics.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 36144560, DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185828
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