Chemical characterization and immunological activities of an acidic polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam.
OBJECTIVE
To study chemical characterization and immunological activities of an acidic polysaccharide, CHC-1, isolated and purified from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam.


METHODS
Both chemical and spectral methods were used to investigate the chemical characterization of CHC-1. Effect of CHC-1 on the proliferation rates of T- and B-lymphocytes both in vivo and in vitro, and antibody production in vivo was measured at various concentrations of CHC-1.


RESULTS
The molecular weight of CHC-1 was estimated to be more than 1.0 x 10(6). The analytical results of sugar components indicated that CHC-1 was composed of Rha, Ara, Gal, and GalA in a molar ratio of 0.8:1.0:1.5:0.3. Methylation analysis and 1H, 13C NMR further identified the linkages of the residues of CHC-1. CHC-1 0.1 g/L promoted remarkably the proliferation of T-cells and B-cells in vitro. CHC-1 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg caused an evident increase in spleen weight, lymphocyte proliferation, antibody production, etc. But its effect on IgG levels was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
CHC-1 is a highly branched heteropolysaccharide and possessed immune enhancement activities.
Wang
Z
Z
Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
Fang
J N
JN
Ge
D L
DL
Li
X Y
XY
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011134:Polysaccharides