Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of polysaccharides from Antrodia cinnamomea: A review

Antrodia cinnamomea (Ac) , also known as “Niu-Chang-Chih” in Chinese, is a valuable fungus that has been widely used as medicine and food among indigenous people in Taiwan. Ac is rich in polysaccharides ( Ac -PS), making it a promising candidate for adjunctive therapy in cancer and inflammation conditions. There are two types of Ac -PS: general (non-sulfated) PS ( Ac -GPS) and sulfated PS ( Ac -SPS). This review highlights that both Ac -GPS and Ac -SPS possess immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Each type influences interleukin signaling pathways to exert its anti-inflammatory effects. Ac -GPS is particularly effective in alleviating inflammation in the brain and liver, while Ac -SPS shows its efficacy in macrophage models. Both Ac -GSP and Ac -SPS have demonstrated anti-cancer effects supported by in vitro and in vivo studies, primarily through inducing apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. They may also synergize with chemotherapy and exhibit anti-angiogenic properties. Notably, Ac -SPS appears to have superior anti-cancer efficacy, potentially due to its sulfate groups. Furthermore, Ac -SPS has been more extensively studied in terms of its mechanisms and effects on lung cancer compared with Ac -GPS, highlighting its significance in cancer research. In addition, Ac -SPS is often reported for its ability to activate macrophage-mediated responses. Clinically, Ac -GPS has been used as an adjunctive therapy for advanced lung cancer, as noted in recent reports. However, given the numerous studies emphasizing its anti-cancer mechanisms, Ac -SPS may exhibit greater efficacy, warranting further investigation. This review concludes that Ac -derived Ac -GPS or Ac -SPS have the potential to be developed into functional health supplements or adjunctive therapies, providing dual benefits of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.