New metal complexes of citrus pectin with magnesium ions: synthesis, properties, and immunomodulatory activity

Magnesium complexes based on sodium polygalacturonate and pectinate were prepared and characterized. The conditions of complex formation were optimized and the immunomodulatory activity of the complexes was studied in vivo for the first time. The pectin complexes with magnesium ions decrease the immunosuppressive effect of the cyclophosphamide cytostatic, associated with a decrease in the number of immune cells in the blood (leukopenia) after administration of cyclophosphamide, and promote restoration of the white blood cell count in blood and the ratio of their subpopulations, i.e. , the complexes exhibit immunomodulatory properties.