Immunomodulatory effects of Fructus corni acidic polysaccharide and its selenium nanoparticles composites in hepatocellular carcinoma

Natural polysaccharides have promising application prospects in cancer immunotherapy due to their excellent biocompatibility and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, an acidic polysaccharide (FCP-3) from Fructus corni with good immunomodulatory effects was extracted. Stable polysaccharide‑selenium nanoparticles composites (FCP-SeNPs) were synthesized to enhance the immunoregulatory effects of FCP-3. The molecular weight and monosaccharide composition of FCP-3, as well as the morphological characteristics and chemical composition of FCP-SeNPs were analyzed. The immunological effects and anti-tumor activity of FCP-3 and FCP-SeNPs were explored. These results suggested that FCP-3 and FCP-SeNPs increased the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-12p70 in macrophages, and the ratio of CD4