Immune cell stimulating activity of mucopolysaccharide isolated from yam (Dioscorea batatas)

Mucopolysaccharide (YMP) of yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne) was tested for immunomodulatory activity in vitro. We examined the effect of YMP on the viability, cell-mediated cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma secretion of splenic lymphocytes. The cytotoxic activity of mouse splenocyte against leukemia cell was increased in the presence of YMP (10 microg/ml). However, YMP (10 microg/ml) did not affect the viability of splenocytes. The production of IFN-gamma was significantly increased in the YMP treated splenocytes, suggesting that YMP may induce cell-mediated immune responses. The effects of YMP on phagocytic activity were studied in relation to uptaking capacity and lysosomal phosphatase activity of the mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. YMP (50 microg/ml) was found to increase uptaking capacity and lysosomal phosphatase activity of peritoneal macrophages. In addition, YMP (10-100 microg/ml) significantly increased the viability of peritoneal macrophages (P<0.05). The data obtained demonstrate that the YMP may be used as sources of immunoactive polysaccharides.