Comparative Study on Physicochemical Characteristics and Synergistic Anticancer Effects of Polysaccharides from Different Sources of Radix Bupleuri

Radix Bupleuri polysaccharides (RBPs) show synergistic antitumor effects with chemotherapy, but source variation causes inconsistent quality and activity. To evaluate the physicochemical properties and synergistic antitumor activity of RBPs from different species and origins, eight batches from five Bupleurum species were analyzed. Results showed varied physicochemical properties across batches. Polysaccharides from Bupleurum Chinese DC. (BCD) and Bupleurum bicaule Helm (BBH) contained the highest levels of GalA, and Rha, while those from Bupleurum marginatum Wall.ex DC. (BMW), Bupleurum falcatum L. (BFL), and Bupleurum marginatum var. stenophyllum (Wolff) Shan et Y.Li (BMS) were rich in Glc. In combination with cisplatin (DDP), RBPs from BCD showed the strongest synergistic inhibition on Huh7 and A549/DDP cell proliferation. Pearson analysis indicated that Rha and GalA positively correlated with antitumor enhancement, whereas Glc showed a negative effect, suggests that monosaccharide composition is associated with synergistic efficacy.