Editors Note: The IASC is proud to print the abstract of Dr. Byung Mu Lee's presentation at the 19th Annual Scientific Seminar, which received the Yun-Ho Lee Award for Scientific Merit.

Byung Mu Lee, Sam Kacew and Hyung Sik Kim

We previously reported that Aloe polysaccharid (APS) had an inhibitory effect on benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adduct formation in vitro and in vivo (Carcinogenesis, 18:771-776, 1997). Hence, chemopreventive effects of plant polysaccharides (Aloe barbadensis Miller (APS), Lentinus edodes (LPS), Ganoderma lucidum (GPS), and Coriolus vesicolor (CPS)) were compared using in vitro short-term methods associated with both initiation and promotion processes in carcinogenesis. In benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adduct formation, APS (180µ g/ml) was the most effective in the inhibition of B[a]P binding to DNA in mouse liver cells. Oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG) was significanly decreased by APS (180µ g/ml) and CPS (180µ g/ml). In glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity induction, GPS was found to be the most effective among plant polysaccharides. In anti-tumor promoting effects, APS (180µ g/m) significantly inhibited PMA-induced ornithine decaroxylase (ODC) activity in Balb/3T3 cells. In addition, APS significanly inhibited PMA-induced tyrosine kinase (TK) activity in human leukemic (HL-60) cells. APS and CPS significantly iinhibited superoxide anion formation. These results suggest that among anticarcinogenic plant polysaccharides, APS produced most effective antigenotoxic and antitumor promoting activities in in vitro modes; and therefore, it should be considered as a promising potential agent for cancer chemoprevention.

For Dr. Lee's entrire presentation, please contact the IASC office.