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Anti-complementary acidic polysaccharides from roots of Lithospermum euchromum
J F Zhao1, H Kiyohara, T Matsumoto
1Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
Phytochemistry
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Potent polysaccharides from Lithospermum euchromum roots strongly activate the complement system and enhance immune complex binding. These compounds, rich in specific sugars, show significant anti-complementary effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Polysaccharides are known for diverse biological activities, including immunomodulation.
- Lithospermum euchromum roots are a potential source of bioactive compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize potent anti-complementary polysaccharides from Lithospermum euchromum roots.
- To evaluate their effects on immune complex binding to macrophages and mitogenic activity.
Main Methods:
- Novel fractionation of polysaccharides from Lithospermum euchromum roots.
- Assay of anti-complementary, mitogenic, and immune complex binding activities in vitro.
- Chemical characterization including methylation analysis of active fractions.
Main Results:
- Fractions exhibited potent anti-complementary and immune complex binding enhancing activities, but no mitogenic activity.
- The acidic polysaccharide fraction (LR-2) showed the highest anti-complementary activity.
- Four highly active polysaccharides (LR-2IId-1a, -1b, -3a, -5a) were isolated and chemically characterized.
Conclusions:
- Lithospermum euchromum roots contain extremely potent anti-complementary polysaccharides.
- These polysaccharides, primarily composed of mannose, galactose, glucose, and glucuronic acid, possess unique glycosidic linkages.
- The findings suggest potential applications in modulating immune responses.