Anti-inflammatory and immunologically active polysaccharides of Periandra mediterranea

Three polysaccharides, glucans with mean M r’s of 1.5 × 10 5, 3.6 × 10 4 and 2.1 × 10 4, were isolated from dried roots of Periandra mediterranea by fractionation on Sephacryl S-300 HR and Sephadex G-25. Chemical and spectroscopic studies indicated that they have a highly branched glucan type structure composed of α-(1→4) linked D-glucopyranose residues with both (3→4) and (4→6) branching points. The polysaccharides enhance phagocytosis in vivo, and exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.