Polysaccharides extracted from hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) exhibiting protective effects against DSS/AOM-induced colorectal cancer in vivo

[Display omitted] •Polysaccharides extracted from hawthorn prevented colon cancer.•Hawthorn polysaccharides showed anti-inflammatory effect in colorectal cancer mice.•Hawthorn polysaccharides extracts induced cancer cell apoptosis.•The diversity of intestinal microbiota was increased by hawthorn polysaccharides. This study demonstrated the effect of polysaccharides extracted from hawthorn (HPS) on colon tumorigenic mice and investigated to test its mechanism in vivo. Subjects were given daily with HPS at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. for 9 weeks, while colon cancer was induced by azoxymethane (AOM) injection and daily administration of 2% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The results showed that the mice fed with HPS had less colonic weight/length ratio, colonic tumors, inflammatory factors and colonic damage. It was also evidenced that HPS significantly increased apoptosis of colon cancer cells and tissue Caspase-3 levels. In addition, the application of HPS markedly increased the diversity of intestinal microbes and raised the relative abundance of Firmicutes at the phylum level. In conclusion, the study supported that HPS was effective in preventing colon cancer via reducing intestinal inflammation, increasing the rate of apoptosis and maintaining the abundance of intestinal flora.