RESUMO
Aim: To preliminarily investigate the antioxidant activity of the acidic exopolysaccharide(EPS-A) from cultivated Cordyceps sisnensis in vitro and in vivo. Methods: PC12 cells were injured by H_2O_2 after the cells were treated with different doses of EPS-A for 6 h, and then the levels of malondialdelyde( MDA) and superoxide dis-mutase (SOD) in PC12 cells were determined. H22 cells were inoculated into the right oxter of each mouse after ICR mice were treated with EPS-A for 7 days, and tumor-bearing mice were treated with EPS-A for 7 days. MDA level and SOD activity in liver, brain and serum were assayed, and tumor weight of each mouse was measured as well. Results: EPS-A significantly decreased the production of MDA and increased SOD activity in H_2O_2-injured PC12 cells. Moreover, EPS-A inhibited H22 tumor growth in mice, in which the level of MDA in liver and brain was reduced, and SOD activity in liver, brain and serum was enhanced. Conclusion: EPS-A exhibited antioxidant activity in cell cultures and mice.