Polyporus polysaccharide (PPS)

Moderate

Polysaccharide (alpha-1,4-linked D-galactan)

Mechanism of Action

Water-soluble polysaccharide (average MW 6.88 kDa) with an alpha-1,4-linked D-galactan backbone. Activates macrophages through recognition by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, triggering NF-kB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways. Increases secretion of NO, IL-6, IL-1-beta, RANTES, and IL-23, and enhances CD80 expression on macrophage surfaces. In the tumor microenvironment, polarizes macrophages to the M1 (pro-inflammatory, anti-tumor) subtype, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis by reducing VEGF expression.

Research Notes

Zhu LingTCM

PPS injection is used clinically in Chinese hospitals as an adjunct immunotherapy for bladder cancer, lung cancer, and hematologic malignancies. Preclinical studies showed significant sarcoma-180 tumor growth inhibition and enhanced Phase II detoxification enzyme expression (GSTpi, NQO1) in bladder carcinogenesis models. A 2021 BMC Complementary Medicine study demonstrated PPS-mediated M1 macrophage polarization via JAK2/NF-kB pathway downregulation. Combined with chemotherapeutic agents, PPS significantly enhanced therapeutic effect while reducing toxic side effects including bone marrow suppression.

Found In 1 Herb

Zhu Ling

TCM

3D Molecular Structure

Polysaccharide (alpha-1,4-linked D-galactan)

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Polyporus polysaccharide (PPS)

Polysaccharide (alpha-1,4-linked D-galactan)Complex carbohydrate polymers that modulate immune response

Representative pattern: (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Atoms

Carbon

Oxygen

Live Research

Open on PubMed

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