Asparagus Polysaccharide and Gum with Hepatic Artery Embolization Induces Tumor Growth and Inhibits Angiogenesis in an Orthotopic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model

Abstract

Liver cancer is one of leading digestive malignancies with high morbidity and mortality. There is anurgent need for the development of novel therapies for this deadly disease. It has been proven that asparaguspolysaccharide, one of the most active derivates from the traditional medicine asparagus, possesses notableantitumor properties. However, little is known about the efficacy of asparagus polysaccharide as an adjuvantfor liver cancer chemotherapy. Herein, we reported that asparagus polysaccharide and its embolic agent form,asparagus gum, significantly inhibited liver tumor growth with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)therapy in an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor model, while significantly inhibiting angiogenesisand promoting tumor cell apoptosis. Moreover, asparagine gelatinous possessed immunomodulatory functionsand showed little toxicity to the host. These results highlight the chemotherapeutic potential of asparaguspolysaccharide and warrant a future focus on development as novel chemotherapeutic agent for liver cancerTACE therapy.