Polysaccharides represent the major

Polysaccharides represent the major part of the yeast cell wall dry weight and build the skeletal carcass defining cell wall
stability and cell morphology (β-D-glucans) or constitute amorphous matrix and cell surface fibrous material (mannans and
mannoproteins). It is known that yeast cell wall β-D-glucans reveal immunomodulating properties, which allows for their
application in anti-infective and antitumor therapy. Recent data also suggest that polysaccharides reveal antioxidant activity
that can result in their protective function as antioxidants, antimutagens, and antigenotoxic agents. The paper provides
a review of our continuing research involving water-soluble derivatives of β-D-glucan isolated from the baker’s yeast
Saccharomyces serevisiae and of a glucomannan isolated from the industrial yeast Candida utilis. The results are confronted
with the available literature data. The derivatives of β-D-glucan demonstrated potent inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation
comparable to that of the known antioxidants and exerted DNA protection from oxidative damage. The free radical scavenging
activity was confirmed by spin-trap electron paramagnetic resonance. Antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activity of the yeast
polysaccharides was demonstrated using yeast, bacterial, and algal models. The derivatives of β-D-glucan exerted potent
enhancement of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) released from murine macrophages and revealed synergistic effect with
cyclophosphamide in the treatment of Lewis lung carcinoma and two types of lymphosarcoma in murine models. The results
indicate significant protective antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antigenotoxic activities of the yeast polysaccharides and
imply their potential application in anticancer prevention/therapy