Effect of Production, Extraction and Purification methods on Anti-cancer property of Fungal Polysaccharides

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Considering the nutritional value of fungi in traditional medicine and the history of their use in the treatment of various cancers, modern methods of treating cancer were studied using fungal products, especially polysaccharides. The antitumor activity of fungal polysaccharides is directly related to the stimulation of the immune system. These polysaccharides damage the free radicals and inhibit the growth of cancer cells by altering the function of macrophages, stimulating the production of anti-cancer antibodies and increasing nitric oxide and cytokines production. Despite extensive research on the therapeutic effects of fungal polysaccharides, further research is needed to identify their chemical structure, especially in purification methods. Fungal polysaccharides, in features such as linkage type, the degree of branching, molecular weight and solubility are different. The growth conditions of the fungal species, including the compositions of the culture medium, temperature, pH and type of bioreactor, affect the yield of polysaccharide and its monosaccharide composition. Polysaccharide extraction methods, drying, purification, and chemical modification can change the structural properties of polysaccharide, including linkage type, the degree of branching, uronic acid content, protein content, and solubility. Structural differences in fungal polysaccharides have been shown to lead to differences in antioxidant activity, anti-proliferation, and immune stimulation. Therefore, by investigating the chemical structure of fungal polysaccharides, it can be targeted to the production of polysaccharides for the treatment of cancer.