The synergism and attenuation effect of Selenium (Se)-enriched Grifola frondosa (Se)-polysaccharide on 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) in Heps-bearing mice

Abstract Previous study revealed that Se-GP11 could exhibited its antitumor activity by improving the immune functions. 5-Fu, as a chemotherapeutic drugs, can kill many immune cells in addition to tumor cells. Accordingly, the enhanced antitumor and reduced toxicity of Se-GP11 on 5-Fu were estimated in this study. The results demonstrated that Se-GP11 could evidently increase the antitumor activity of 5-Fu. Furthermore, Se-GP11 could enhance the immune functions during the tumor inhibition process of 5-Fu for increasing the cytokines secretion (IL-2 and TNF-α) and immune organs weights. In addition, Se-GP11 could reduce the toxicity of 5-Fu on liver by improving the hematological and biochemical parameters and up-regulating the SOD activities and down-regulating the MDA levels. Taken together, the results indicated that Se-GP11 may develop as an auxiliary preparation to chemical antitumor drugs.