Objective To establish the human leukemia model in the
severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice and to investigate the
pharmacological action of
Ginseng polysaccharide (GPS) on leukemic cells in vivo. Methods The human leukemia mouse model was established by implanting K562 cells into the caudal vein of SCID mouse. Histochemistry, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, histopathology were used to monitor the leukemic cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, liver, spleen of leukemia SCID mouse models, before and after injection of GPS. The mice receiving the physiological saline instead of GPS served as controls. Results The peripheral blood cells did not change so much in SCID mice in the earlier period of leukemia, the total number of WBC slightly increased and promyelocytes of leukemia could be detected 1%-4% on day 18 after K562 cells implantation. In last phase of leukemia, WBC significantly rose and could be monitored 10%. After injection of GPS, the common condition of mouse models was more improved than that of controls, the inflammation and pathological changes of organs ameliorated. Conclusion GPS can effectively suppress leukemia in vivo and is found no obvious ill effect.