Clinical Applications of Polysaccharides Considering Cancer Regimen

Cancer is the second most deadly illness globally, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause. Exposure to toxins like alcohol, tobacco, and radiation increases cancer risk, causing 8.2 million deaths in 2014. Polysaccharides, bioactive molecules from renewable sources like microorganisms, flora, and fauna, are used in biomedical applications and functional foods due to their immunostimulatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Mushroom fungi’s polysaccharide-protein and polysaccharide-peptide complexes have potent anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. Polysaccharides from curative mushrooms have been promoted as antitumor drugs in Asian nations. These mushrooms have shown great efficacy and minimal toxicity in cancer treatment. In-depth research is needed to create novel auxiliary medications. Polysaccharides from Porodaedalea, including P. baumii Pilát, P. linteus , and P. igniarius , exhibit antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, and anti-allergic properties. Polysaccharides from Phellinus sensu lato have shown significant anticancer efficacy in various neoplasms, including colon, lung, prostate, fibrosarcoma, epidermoid, melanoma, and neuroblastoma. These polysaccharides act as immune regulators or stimulators, stimulating various cells. Understanding their physicochemical characteristics and structures is crucial for their medicinal benefits.