Abstract: AIM: To study the antitumor effect of the crude or the refined extract of glycosaminoglycan(CGAG or GAG)from whole viscera of pinctada martensis.METHODS: The antitumor actions of CGAG or GAG were examined in KM mice inoculated S180 and EAC,including inhibitory rate of tumor growth,the ratio of extending viability,the synergism with 5-FU or Tegafur.The inhibition to the growth of HL-60 cells was observed in vitro.RESULTS: GAG reinforced the antitumor effect of 5-FU or Tegafur in S180 or EAC mice,and the inhibitory rates of tumor growth were 61.96%(S180)and 46.30%(EAC).GAG lengthened life time by 14.16% on S180 mice.The kill rates to HL-60 cells in vitro were 38.67% and 25.64% by using the CGAG(1.0 or 0.1g·L^-1).CONCLUSION: GAG can increase the antitumor effects of 5-FU and Tegafur in S180 and EAC mice,lengthen life time in S180 mice,and kill the HL-60 cells in vitro.

Key words: pinctada martensis, glycosaminoglycan, antitumor