Abstract:  Aim:To study the effects of cordyceps polysaccharide on micronucleus of Vicia faba root tip cells caused by mitomycin-c(MMC). Methods: Micronucleus test of Vicia faba root tip cells. Results: Vicia faba micronucleus rates(MCN‰) of cordyceps intracelluar polysaccharide and exopolysaccharide (The concentration was 100, 80, 50μg/ml respectively)caused by MMC(The concentration was 0.5μg/ml) were all less obviously than the positive control group (0.5μg/ml MMC; p <0.01); The maximal inhibition rates of cordyceps intracelluar polysaccharide and exopolysaccharide were 60.48%, 62.20% respectively. Vicia faba MCN‰ of cordyceps intracelluar polysaccharide and exopolysaccharide (The concentration was 30μg/ml) caused by MMC (The concentration was 0.5μg/ml) were significantly different in comparison with the positive control group(0.5μg/ml MMC; p<0.05). There was significant difference among the four concentrations of polysaccharide to the effects on micronucleus at least(p<0.05). In addition, with the increase of the concentration of polysaccharide Vicia faba incressed, the MCN‰ decreased. Conclusions: Cordyceps intracelluar polysaccharide and exopolysaccharide could inhibit the yield of micronucleus of Vicia faba root tip cells caused by MMC.

Key words: cordyceps polysaccharide, Vicia faba, micronucleus, mitomycin-c