title: Structural characterization of bioactive pectic polysaccharides from elderflowers (Sambuci flos).
abstract: Elderflowers have traditionally been used and are still used for its anti-inflammatory property. Traditionally elderflowers were used as remedies against cold, flu and diuretic. The aim of this study was to relate the structure of pectic-polysaccharides from elderflowers to immunomodulating properties. Purified fractions obtained by gelfiltration and ion exchange chromatography of 50% ethanol, 50°C water and 100°C water extracts exhibited strong complement fixating activity and macrophage stimulating activity. Reduced bioactivity was observed after removal of arabinose and 1,3,6-Gal linkages by weak acid hydrolysis. Enhanced bioactivity was observed after removal of estergroups by NaOH. Relating linkage analysis to the results of the bioactivity tests, led to the assumption that the branched moieties of the arabinogalactans linked to rhamnogalacturonan region, is important for the immunomodulating activity seen in elderflowers. No cytotoxity was observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: g.t.t.ho@farmasi.uio.no.
authors.forename: Giang Thanh Thi
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Yuan-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Torun Helene
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Aslaksen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wangensteen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barsett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001156:Artemia; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019815:Oxalic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D027923:Sambucus; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D009005:Monosaccharides; D010636:Phenols; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019815:Oxalic Acid
keywords: Complement system; Elderflower; Immunological activity; Lipopolysaccharide; Pectic polysaccharides; Sambucus nigra