Objective: To investigate the immunomodulating activities of crude polysaccharides from the seeds of Zea mays. Method: ICR male mice were randomly divided into four groups

including normal control group

cyclophosphamide model group

and two groups treated respectively with low dose and high dose of crude polysaccharides from the seeds of Z. mays (50

100 mg·kg-1) for 7 d. The hypoimmune mice model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection with cyclophosphamide. Thymus index

spleen index

serum hemolysin (HC50) and phagocytic index of mononuclear macrophage were measured. Result: The crude polysaccharide from the seeds of Z. mays promoted spleen index (P<0.05) and phagocytic index (P<0.001) of hypoimmune mice. Conclusion: It is suggested that the crude polysaccharide from the seeds of Z. mays has significant effect of the immuun regulation in hypoimmune mice by promoting phagocytic function of mononuclear macrophage.