The core structure of ginsenan PA, a phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide from the root of Panax ginseng.
Controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of ginsenan PA, the main phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, were performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities of the degradation products were investigated. Methylation analysis of the primary and secondary Smith degradation products indicated that the core structural features of ginsenan PA include a backbone chain mainly composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose. Almost half of the galactose units in the backbone carry side-chains composed of beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues at position 6. Further 3,6-branching of D-galactose units was observed in a part of the side-chains. alpha-L-Arabinose units are connected mainly to the core galactose moieties via position 6. Removal of most of the arabinose units had a considerable effect on immunological activity.
Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan.
M
M
Tomoda
K
K
Hirabayashi
N
N
Shimizu
R
R
Gonda
N
N
Ohara
D000818:Animals; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D003640:Dealkylation; D004590:Electrophoresis, Paper; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012157:Mononuclear Phagocyte System / Q000187:drug effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; C091866:ginsenan PA