Effects of antitumor polysaccharides from albizza julibrissin on immune function

Polysaccharide fractions were prepared from Albizzia julibrissin by different extraction schedules. The fractions obtained were designated as PS-I and PS-II, respectively. Further purification of PS-I by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography gave two subfractions, Alju A and alju B, Each fraction showed marked antitumor activity against sarcoma 180 solid form but not ascite form. PS-I and PS-II increased delayed hypersensitivity in normal and tumor bearing mice. PS-I treatment led to moderate restoration of the suppressed antibody production in tumor bearing mice.