Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (Achyranthan, Abps) was hydroxyethylated by ethylene oxide in aqueous NaOH. The crude product was purified by acetone precipitation, dialysis, and Sephadex G-25 column chromatography to give hydroxyethylated Abps (Abps-HE), which was identified by some physicochemical properties. By the methylation method and GC-MS analysis, it is concluded that the hydroxyethyl groups are mainly substituted on 6-position of the glucopyranose and fructofuranose of the sugar backbone. The product possesses antitumor activity and improves NK cell activity in Lewis lung cancer mice.

Key words: achyranthes bidentata, hydroxyethylated abps, STRUCTURE, ANTITUMOR DRUGS, ETHYLENE OXIDE, CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY, PHARMACOLOGY