Structural characterization and antitumor effects of chitosan oligosaccharides against orthotopic liver tumor via NF-κB signaling pathway

Increasing studies have reported the antitumor effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) against multiple cancer, including S180, colon tumor, etc. Here, the structural characters of COS were identified and its inhibitory effects against orthotopic liver tumor and immunoregulation effects were also studied. Degree of polymerization (DP) of COS is 2-6, degree of deacetylation (DD) is 98.38 +/- 1.34%. COS is positive charged with zeta potential at 11.27 +/- 1.56 mV, with diameter at about 100 nm. COS is protective to S180-bearing mouse, activates macrophage Ana-1, and promotes M1 polarization. The antitumor effects of COS against LM3 and HepG2 orthotopic liver tumor in vivo were measured combined with bioimaging system. The mRNA differential analysis of LM3 cell and HepG2 hallmarks alterations indicated that COS inhibits hepatoma via NF-kappa B pathway, which regulates PI3K/Akt, p38 MAPK, p53 and mitochondria-apoptotic signaling pathways. This study suggests that COS can be developed into an excellent antitumor candidate for liver tumor.