Search

Abstract: Wheat bran is a rich source of bioactive substances ascribed to its arabinoxylan component. Two water-soluble arabinoxylans were sequentially extracted from wheat bran. WB1, released during enzymatic digestion of starch and protein, contained medium-branched arabinoxylan (A/X=0.88) consisting of 3-O-substituted (22%), di-substituted (19.8%) and 58% unsubstituted Xylp residues. It was slightly contaminated with (1→3,1→4)-β-glucan and arabinogalactan, and free of protein. WB2 extracted with 0.5% NaOH contained ∼95% arabinoxylan (A/X=1.09). WB2 and two 5% NaOH-extracted arabinoxylans were rich in protein and phenolic compounds. All radical-scavenging assays indicated a relation with the protein and total phenolics contents. The protein-free WB1 displayed the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging effect indicating the distinct role of phenolic acids. The immunomodulatory activity of WB1 was somewhat lower, whereas, that of WB2 higher in comparison to the immunogenic polysaccharide PMII. The arabinoxylans have the potential as immuno-enhancing and antioxidant additives in functional foods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polysaccharides from plants have been the subject of studies for a very long time, mainly focussed on their physical properties, their chemical and physical modification, and their application. Over the last 20 years there has been increasing interest in the biological activity of the natural polysaccharide polymers. These studies became possible as a result of the scientific development of isolation, purification and characterisation methods concomitant with the development of fairly simple in vitro tests for effects especially on the immune system. The growing acceptance of the knowledge to be gained by people still using so-called traditional medicine in finding sources worthy of study has led to new sources for interesting bioactive plant polysaccharides. This chapter contains only the knowledge on bioactive plant polysaccharides of the pectic type gained over approximately the last ten years and the focus is on those papers where structural characterisation has been performed. For this reason, the reader may not find all of the plants studied during this period within the chapter. Discussions concerning the structural aspects of polysaccharides that may be responsible for activity, are included where relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichilia emetica is a tree or bush that has many different traditional uses in Mali, amongst others the leaves have been used as a woundhealing remedy. As polysaccharides have been isolated from other plants that have a long tradition as woundhealing remedies, it was of interest to study the polysaccharides of T. emetica as well. The polysaccharides were extracted at 50 and 100 °C, and the polymeric material was separated into neutral and acidic polymers by anion exchange chromatography. The complement fixation ability of the different fractions was determined. The Acidic fraction 4 of the 100 °C extract was the most active, but most of the other fractions were also quite active. Structural studies showed that the most active fraction was a pectin of the rhamnogalacturonan type 1 with side chains of the arabinogalactan type II. Removal of terminal arabinofuranosides lead to a drop of the activity indicating that this structural unit may be involved in the bioactive site of the molecule. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A synthesis of ethnopharmacological knowledge and western biologicalscience has been attempted in this paper. Thirty-four species of plants usedby local women in hamlets of Banjar taluka, Kulu district, Himachal Pradeshhave been recorded. The knowledge of medicinal plants that local women haveis important as they have a lifetime experience in using them through caringfor themselves, their families and others around them. For the plants recorded,information from scientific literature has been included in order to explainor justify the traditional medical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a synthesis of local traditional knowledge of plantsused as medicine and western biological science. In many areas women are responsiblefor curing their family members and others for various illness. Ethnomedicaluses of 51 plants by women in hamlets/villages of Jawhar and Mokhada talukasin Thane district, Maharashtra, have been recorded. Information from scientificliterature for each plant collected has been incorporated with traditionalknowledge to explain or substantiate traditional medicinal uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the dissolved extracellular compounds produced by the chlorococcalean ankistrodesmus densus for their molecular masses and chemical composition. Two distinct fractions of the dissolved compound; Presence of glucuronic acid and protein in both fractions.

The filamentous desmid Spondylosium panduriforme (Heimerl) Teiling var. panduriforme f. limneticum (West & west) Teiling (Desmidiaceae)strain 072CH-UFCAR, is surrounded by a well-defined, mucilaginous capsule consisting of a capsular polysaccharide (CPS). This microalga also produces an extracellular polysaccharide. Analysis of the carbohydrate composition of the two polymers by gas chromatography showed that they were different. Both were composed of galactose fucose xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, and glucose but in different amounts. For example, glucuronic acid accounts for 24% of the EPS material but only traces were found in the CPS. Significant difference were also found during methylation analysis. Fucose appeared to have a higher degree of branching in the EPS than in the CPS. These branches were located on C-3 and could be the position for the attachment of the glucuronic acid was present as 1→ 4linked and terminal units. A possible explanation for the formation of the EPS is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the structure of extracellular polysaccharides produced by the Hindak strain of a soil Cryptomonas species. Presence of fucose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, glucose, galactose, galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, and traces of 3-O-methyl galactose; Degree of branching.

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (Seem.) Guillaumin is a native tree in Vietnam. The water extract of the leaves from this tree gives a highly viscous product that has been used to heal wounds and treat inflammations. Our previous studies showed that the leaves of P. carruthersii have a high content of polysaccharides. In this study, the structure and influence of the neutral polysaccharide from Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (PCA1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were investigated. The PCA1 isolated from P. carruthersii is a galactan-type polysaccharide, containing galactose (77.0%), 3-O-methyl galactose (20.0%), and arabinose (3.0%). Linkage analysis of PCA1 showed that both the 3-O-methyl galactose and galactose were 1,4-linked. The presence of 3-O-methyl galactose units as part of the polysaccharide is important and can be used as a chemotaxonomic marker. The molecular weight of the PCA1 was 170 kDa. A PCA1 concentration of 30–40 μg/mL strongly inhibited TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 inflammatory cytokine production, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release. PCA1 had inhibitory activities on pro-inflammatory cytokine and ROS release in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages in vitro through MAPK signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Aconitum carmichaelii is an industrially cultivated medicinal plant in China and its lateral and mother roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine due to the presence of alkaloids. However, the rootlets and aerial parts are discarded after collection of the roots, and the non‐toxic polysaccharides in this plant have attracted less attention than the alkaloids and poisonous features. In this study, five neutral and 14 acidic polysaccharide fractions were isolated systematically from different plant parts of A. carmichaelii, and their structural features and bioactivity were studied and compared. RESULTS: The neutral fraction isolated from the rootlets differed from those isolated from the lateral and mother roots. It consisted of less starch and more possible mannans, galactans, and/or xyloglucans, being similar to those of the aerial parts. Pectic polysaccharides containing homogalacturonan and branched type‐I rhamnogalacturonan (RG‐I) were present in all plant parts of A. carmichaelii. However, more arabinogalactan (AG)‐II side chains in the RG‐I backbone were present in the aerial parts of the plants, while more amounts of arabinans were found in the roots. Various immunomodulatory effects were observed, determined by complement fixation activity and anti‐inflammatory effects on the intestinal epithelial cells of all polysaccharide fractions. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the diversity of polysaccharides present in A. carmichaelii, especially in the unutilized plant parts, and showed their potential medicinal value. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two pectic polysaccharides from stems of Codonopsis pilosula (CPSP-1) and C. tangshen (CTSP-1) were obtained by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The molecular weight of CPSP-1 and CTSP-1 were 13.1 and 23.0 kDa, respectively. The results of structure elucidation indicated that both CPSP-1 and CTSP-1 are pectic polysaccharides with long homogalacturonan regions (HG) (some of galacturonic acid units were methyl esterified) and rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) regions. Side chains for CTSP-1 are both arabinogalactan type I (AG-I) and type II (AG-II), while CPSP-1 only has AG-II. The biological test demonstrated that CPSP-1 and CTSP-1 displayed an antioxidant property through mediating the intestinal cellular antioxidant defense system, which could protect cultured intestinal cells from oxidative stress induced oxidative damages and cell viability suppression. CPSP-1 and CTSP-I showed different bioactivities and mechanisms, which may be due to the difference in their structures. • Polysaccharides from stem of Codonopsis pilosula and C. tangshen were purified. • These two pectic polysaccharides have different structural features. • Both polysaccharides have strong antioxidant activity. • The difference of biological activities may be related to the structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codonopsis pilosula possesses properties related to nourishing the spleen and stomach, and tonifying qi of stomach and mind in traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharides, which are the primary active components of C. pilosula , are thought to be in charge of their extensive use. Now, a systematic summary structural and bioactivities diversity of polysaccharide from C. pilosula (CPs) are necessary to address their future aspects and application. In this review, the extraction and purification methods, structural features and bioactivities diversity of CPs are summarized and discussed. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) is also analyzed and discussed. Boiling water extraction, ultrasonic extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis and microwave methods, subcritical water extraction and accelerated solvent extraction are used for extracting CPs. Among them, water extraction and alcohol precipitation method is the most frequently used one. Around 15 neutral fractions and 25 acidic fractions were purified from different species of C. pilosula , while only few of them were well characterized. CPs exhibited various biological activities, including immunomodulation, antitumor, prebiotics, antifatigue, antiviral, antioxidation activity. However, most of bioactivities reported were based on crude CPs; in vivo studies of purified CPs and the potential mechanisms need to be extensively investigated. SAR illustrates that chemical and enzymatic modification of CPs could significantly increase the bioactivity of CPs, but other impact factors on SAR such as water solubility, molecular weight and chain information are still unknown. • Methods for Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides extraction were discussed. • Around 40 CPs were purified from C. pilosula , and showed structural diversity. • CPs exhibited a wide range of bioactivities both in vitro and in vivo. • Chemical and enzymatic modification affects the bioactivities of CPs. • Mechanisms of activities of purified CPs in vivo are required to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance More than 15,000 angiosperm species are dioecious, i.e., having distinct male and female individual plants. The allocation of resources between male and female plants is different, and also variation in secondary metabolites and sex-biased herbivory is reported among dioecious plants. However, little is known about the ethnobotany of dioecious species and whether preferences exist for a specific gender, e.g., in food, medicine or timber. Aim of the study The aim of this study was: 1) to study whether Indian folk healers have preference for plant genders, and to document their knowledge and use of dioecious species; 2) to understand the concept of plant gender in Indian systems of medicine and folk medicine, and whether Ayurvedic literature includes any references to gender preference. Materials and methods Lists of dioecious plants used in Indian systems of medicine and folk medicine were compiled. Ethnobotanical data was collected on perceptions and awareness of dioecious plants, and preferences of use for specific genders of dioecious species using semi-structured interviews with folk healers in Tamil Nadu, India. In addition, twenty Ayurvedic doctors were interviewed to gain insight into the concept of plant gender in Ayurveda. Results Indian systems of medicine contain 5–7% dioecious species, and this estimate is congruent with the number of dioecious species in flowering plants in general. Informants recognized the phenomenon of dioecy in 31 out of 40 species, and reported gender preferences for 13 species with respect to uses as timber, food and medicine. Among informants different plant traits such as plant size, fruit size, and visibility of fruits determines the perception of a plant being a male or female. Ayurvedic classical literature provides no straightforward evidence on gender preferences in preparation of medicines or treatment of illness, however it contains details about reproductive morphology and sexual differentiation of plants. Conclusions A knowledge gap exists in ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological literature on traditional knowledge of dioecious plants. From this explorative study it is evident that people have traditional knowledge on plant gender and preferential usages towards one gender. Based on this, we propose that researchers conducting ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies should consider documenting traditional knowledge on sexual systems of plants, and test the existence of gender specific usages in their conceptual framework and hypothesis testing. Incorporating such concepts could provide new dimensions of scientific knowledge with potential implications to conservation biology, chemical ecology, ethnoecology and drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Global studies on Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) traditionally used against malaria in Mali are limited to its low-mass compounds activities, and little information on its bioactive polysaccharides is available. Objective: This study determines the structure and the immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides from aerial parts of A. mexicana. Materials and methods: Acidic polysaccharides from this plant material named HMAmA1 and HMAmA2 were isolated from water extracts. Their monosaccharide composition was determined by gas chromatography. Glycosidic linkages were determined using GC-MS. NMR was also applied. The polymers were tested for effects on the human complement system in vitro at different doses. Results: The monosaccharide composition showed that the two polysaccharides contained in different amounts the following monomers: arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, and galacturonic acid. Overall structural analysis showed the presence of a low ratio of 1,2-linked rhamnose compared to 1,4-linked galacturonic acid with arabinogalactans substituted on position 4 of rhamnose. NMR data showed the presence of galacturonans alternated by rhamnogalacturonans bearing arabinose and galactose units. a-Linkages were found for L-arabinose, L-rhamnose and D-galacturonic acid, while b-linkages were found for D-galactose. The two polysaccharides exhibited strong complement fixation activities, with HMAmA1 being the highest potent fraction. ICH50 value of HMAmA1 was 5 µg/mL, compared to the control BPII being 15.9 µg/mL. Discussion and conclusions: Polysaccharides form A. mexicana presented a complement fixation effect. The complement system is an important part of the immune defense, and compounds acting on the cascade are of interest. Therefore, these polymers may be useful as immunodulatory agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrolepiota procera (MP) is an edible mushroom used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and inflammation. However, the structure and biological effects of its polysaccharides (PSs) are unclear. This study investigates the structural features of a PS complex from MP (MP-PSC), its immunomodulatory activities and effects on probiotic and pathogenic bacteria. MP-PSC was obtained by boiling water, and PSs were characterized by 2D NMR spectroscopy. The immunomodulatory effects on blood and derived neutrophils, other leukocytes, and murine macrophages were studied by flow cytometry, chemiluminescence, spectrophotometry, and ELISA. The total carbohydrate content of MP-PSC was 74.2%, with glycogen occupying 36.7%, followed by β-D-glucan, α-L-fuco-2-(1,6)-D-galactan, and β-D-glucomannan. MP-PSC (200 μg/mL) increased the number of CD14+ monocyte cells in the blood, after ex vivo incubation for 24 h. It dose-dependently (50–200 μg/mL) activated the spontaneous oxidative burst of whole blood phagocytes, NO, and interleukin 6 productions in RAW264.7 cells. MP-PSC exhibited a low antioxidant activity and failed to suppress the oxidative burst and NO generation, induced by inflammatory agents. It (2.0%, w/v) stimulated probiotic co-cultures and hindered the growth and biofilm development of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans and Salmonella enterica. MP PSs can be included in synbiotics to test their immunostimulating effects on compromised immune systems and gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Mali is one of the countries in West Africa where the health system rely the most on traditional medicine. The healers are mainly using medicinal plants for their treatments. The studies performed being the basis for this review is of importance as they will contribute to sustaining the traditional knowledge. They contribute to evaluate and improve locally produced herbal remedies, and the review gives also an overview of the plant preparations that will have the most potential to be evaluated for new Improved Traditional Medicines. Aim of the review The aim of this review is to give an overview of the studies performed related to medicinal plants from Mali in the period 1995–2015. These studies include ethnopharmacology, chemistry and biological studies of the plants that were chosen based on our interviews with the healers in different regions of Mali, and contribute to sustainable knowledge on the medicinal plants. The Department of Traditional Medicine, Bamako, Mali, is responsible for registering the knowledge of the traditional healers on their use of medicinal plants and also identifying compounds in the plants responsible for the bioactivities claimed. The studies reported aimed at getting information from the healers on the use of medicinal plants, and study the biology and chemistry of selected plants for the purpose of verifying the traditional use of the plants. These studies should form the basis for necessary knowledge for the development of registered Improved Traditional Medicines in Mali. Materials and methods The healers were the ethnopharmacological informants. Questions asked initially were related to wound healing. This was because the immune system is involved when wounds are healed, and additionally the immune system is involved in the majority of the illnesses common in Mali. Based on the results of the interviews the plant material for studies was selected. Studies were performed on the plant parts the healers were using when treating their patients. Conventional chromatographic and spectroscopic methods were used for the isolation and structural elucidation of compounds. The compounds to study were selected based on the bioassays performed concomitant with the fractionation. Results Our results show that plants traditionally used as wound healing agents contain polysaccharides basically of pectin nature with immunomodulating activities. These pectins all have different and new structures. Several of the plants also contain compounds with effects related to antioxidant properties. These compounds are mainly of polyphenolic nature. Three of these are new compounds from Nature, while 32 was for the first time described from the plant they were isolated from. This review gives an overview of the most important results obtained during the 20 year long collaboration between Department of Traditional Medicine, Bamako, Mali, and Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway. Conclusion Our studies showed that ethnopharmacological information is important for the determination of screening and chemical methods to be used for studies of plants used in traditional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a synthesis of ethnomedical uses and modern biological knowledge has been done on 40 medicinal plants used by women in hamlets in and around Anaikatty hills of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. Women in these areas possess a rich knowledge of medicinal plants and still continue the medical tradition of using plants as medicine for themselves, their families and others around them. A description of the chemical contents and biological activities of different parts of the plants recorded is given wherever possible in order to substantiate or verify the traditional uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the repeating unit structures of the native capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 41A and 41F. Structural determinations yielded six carbohydrate units in the doubly branched repeating unit to give the following structure for serotype 41A: The structure determinations were motivated (1) by an ambition to help close the remaining gaps in S. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide structures, and (2) by the attempt to derive functional annotations of carbohydrate active enzymes in the biosynthesis of bacterial polysaccharides from the determined structures. An activity present in 41F but not 41A is identified as an acetyltransferase acting on the rhamnopyranosyl sidechain E. The genes encoding the formation of the six glycosidic bonds in serogroup 41 were determined from the capsular polysaccharide structures of serotype 41A, 41F, and genetically related serotypes, in conjunction with corresponding genomic information and computational homology searches. In combination with complementary information, NMR spectroscopy considerably simplifies the functional annotation of carbohydrate active enzymes in the biosynthesis of bacterial polysaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fallopia sachalinensis , regarded as an invasive plant in Europe and designated for disposal, is traditionally used in Japan and China as herbal medicine. Attempted for valorization of the leaves, this paper reports on two protein-free polysaccharide fractions, a neutral (FS-5A) and an acidic (FS-5B) one, obtained via alkali extraction and consecutive purification. Both fractions were characterized by chemical, molecular, structural and bioactive properties. FTIR and 1D/2D NMR analyses revealed that FS-5A consisted of a fucogalactoxyloglucan, whereas, glucuronoxylan was the major hemicellulose in FS-5B accompanied with low proportions of fucosylated xyloglucan and pectic RG-I. Both hemicellulose fractions exhibited significant immunostimulating activity in the complement-fixation test and the latter had noticeable DPPH radical-scavenging ability. The results completed information about neutral and acidic bioactive polysaccharide components present in the leaves of F. sachalinensis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae), a tree that grows in West Africa, has been used in traditional medicine against a variety of diseases such as hepatitis, gonorrhea, skin diseases, and diabetes. Objective: To investigate enzyme inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) and toxicity against brine shrimp of extracts and compounds from T. macroptera leaves. Materials and methods: Methanol extract, ethyl acetate, and butanol extracts obtained from the methanol extract, six isolated polyphenols (chebulagic acid, chebulic acid trimethyl ester, corilagin, methyl gallate, narcissin, and rutin), and shikimic acid were evaluated for enzyme inhibition and toxicity. Results: In enzyme inhibition assays, all extracts showed high or very high activity. Chebulagic acid showed an IC50 value of 0.05 µM towards α-glucosidase and 24.9 ± 0.4 µM towards 15-LO, in contrast to positive controls (acarbose: IC50 201 ± 28 µM towards α-glucosidase, quercetin: 93 ± 3 µM towards 15-LO). Corilagin and narcissin were good 15-LO and α-glucosidase inhibitors, as well, while shikimic acid, methyl gallate, and chebulic acid trimethyl ester were less active or inactive. Rutin was a good α-glucosidase inhibitor (IC50 ca. 3 µM), but less active towards 15-LO. None of the extracts or the isolated compounds seemed to be very toxic in the brine shrimp assay compared with the positive control podophyllotoxin. Conclusion: Inhibition of α-glucosidase in the gastrointestinal tract may be a rationale for the medicinal use of T. macroptera leaves against diabetes in traditional medicine in Mali. The plant extracts and its constituents show strong inhibition of the peroxidative enzyme 15-LO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of capsular polysaccharides of the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae leads to at least 91 different serotypes. While the genetic loci for capsular biosynthesis have been characterized for all serotypes, the determination of resultant polysaccharide structures remains incomplete. Here, we report the chemical structures of the capsular polysaccharides of serotypes 39, 42, and 47F from the genetic cluster 4, and discuss the structures in the context of structures from serologically and genetically related serotypes. Antigenic determinants can be approximated in this manner. The structure of the serotype 39 capsular polysaccharide is and has identical composition to the capsular polysaccharide 10A, but two different linkages. The serotype 42 structure closely resembles the genetically related serotype 35A, which does not contain residue A. The structure of the serotype 47F capsular polysaccharide is somewhat different from a recently determined structure from the same serogroup, while containing a structural motif that is reflected in serotype 35A and 42 capsular polysaccharide structures, thus explaining the cross-reactivity of serotype 47F with the typing serum 35a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We assigned the NMR spectra’s of S. pneumoniae serotype 47A. [•] We established the structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 47A. [•] We compared the structural assignment with known serotypes. [•] We found a new substitution pattern for the β-Galf compared with known serotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gastrointestinal diseases are major reasons for morbidity in Mali. As Helicobacter pylori is known to play a major role in gastritis and gastric ulcer we wanted to find a simple method for detection. Methods: Twenty-nine volunteers with confirmed gastric ulcer by gastroscopy and 59 randomly selected volunteers were diagnosed by using the rapid serological test Clearview®H. Pylori. The ImmunoCard STAT!® HpSA®test was applied on stool from 65 volunteers seeking help for gastrointestinal related ailments. Results: A Helicobacter pylori prevalence of 21% was found among the individuals with confirmed gastric ulcer, 44% among the randomly selected volunteers and 14% in individuals with gastrointestinal related ailments. Conclusion: According to what is already known about the aetiology of gastric ailments and the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in neighboring countries, the infection rates in our study appear strikingly low. This might indicate that Clearview® H. Pylori and ImmunoCard STAT!® HpSA® have low sensitivities in the populations studied. Strain variability of H. Pylori may be an explanation. The tests need to be properly evaluated in Mali before they can be relied upon as diagnostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) has long been attributed to have relatively high contents of water-soluble silicon that could be of benefit for humans. Yet, no specific studies have investigated the silicon content of horsetail to determine silicon levels and availability. Our goal was to determine the silicon content of tea made from horsetail and the extractable silicon from the plants using the solvents hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, methanol, water, and potassium hydroxide for comparison with the silicon levels in the whole plant. The results demonstrated that the level of silicon in the whole plant is approximately 5% whereas the maximum water-extractable silicon was only 0.3% of the plant. Indeed, the amount of extractable silicon from normal usage of horsetail tea is less than the silicon content present in one slice of bread. The conclusion from these studies is that the silicon from horsetail is not responsible for the health benefits attributed to the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two galactofuranomannans, Ths-4 and Ths-5, were isolated from the lichen, Thamnolia vermicularis var. subuliformis, using ethanol fractionation and anion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The average molecular weights of Ths-4 and Ths-5 were estimated to be 19 and 200kDa, respectively. Structural characterisation of Ths-4, Ths-5 and their partially hydrolysed derivatives was performed by methanolysis and methylation analysis. The intact and partially hydrolysed Ths-4 was further analysed using NMR spectroscopy (1D, COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC). According to the data obtained, the heteroglycans Ths-4 and Ths-5 have similar structures, but have large differences in molecular weight. The structure is composed of 3-O-linked and 5-O-linked galactofuranosyl chains linked to a mannan core. The mannan core consists of a main chain of α-(1→6)-linked mannopyranosyl residues, substituted at O-2 with either a single α-mannopyranosyl unit or an α-Manp-(1→2)-α-Manp-(1→2)-α-Manp group in the ratio of approximately 1:3, respectively. The polysaccharides have idealised repeating blocks as is shown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to characterize the extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) released by a freshwater Thalassiosira sp. (Bacillariophyceae) and evaluate their degradation by heterotrophic microbial populations from the same habitat of Thalassiosira sp., a tropical eutrophic reservoir. The EPS were purified by anion exchange column chromatography, the monosaccharide composition was determined by GC, and the linkages of the monosaccharides by GC-MS. The EPS is a mannose-rich heteropolysaccharide composed of two different acidic fractions. Both of these fractions are composed of mannose, rhamnose, fucose, xylose, galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid, and N-acetyl glucosamine but with different proportions. N-acetyl galactosamine occurs only in fraction 1 and galacturonic acid only in fraction 2. We monitored the concentrations of the monosaccharides in the EPS during its degradation using pulse amperometric detection in an HPLC. The decay patterns of the monosaccharides were varied and the deoxy sugars, fucose and rhamnose, were degraded at a slower rate than the other components, increasing their relative concentrations and the hydrophobic feature of the EPS. The possibility of a selective degradation, which enhances the stickiness of the EPS, promoting transparent exopolymeric particles and aggregate formation, is discussed based on the literature data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrodynamic properties of five newly isolated algal extracellular polysaccharides with putative adhesive properties are described, using a combination of size exclusion chromatography, total or ‘multi-angle’ laser light scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation. The respective polysaccharides had been extracted from four filamentous cyanobacteria: Microcoleus vaginatus, Scytonema javanicum, Phormidium tenue and Nostoc sp. and a coccoid single-cell green algae Desmococcus olivaceus that had been separated from desert algal crusts of the Chinese Tegger Desert. SEC/MALLS experiments showed that the saccharides had diverse weight average molecular weights ranging from 4000 to 250,000 g/mol and all five showed either bi-modal or tri-modal molecular weight distribution profiles. Use of the Mark–Houwink–Kuhn–Sakurada (MHKS) scaling relationship between sedimentation coefficient and (weight average) molecular weight for the five samples, assuming a homologous conformation series revealed an MHKS b exponent of (0.33±0.04), suggesting a conformation between that of a stiff rod (b∼0.18) and a random coil (b∼0.4–0.5), i.e. a ‘ flexible rod’ or ‘stiff coil’. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from four filamentous cyanobacteria Microcoleus vaginatus, Scytonema javanicum, Phormidium tenue and Nostoc sp. and a coccoid single-cell green alga Desmococcus olivaceus that had been separated from desert algal crusts of Tegger desert of China, were investigated for their chemical composition, structure and physical properties. The EPS contained 7.5–50.3% protein (in polymers ranging from 14 to more than 200 kD, SDS-PAGE) and 16.2–40.5% carbohydrate (110–460 kD, GFC). 6–12 kinds of monosaccharides, including 2-O-methyl rhamnose, 2-O-methyl glucose, and N-acetyl glucosamine were found. The main carbohydrate chains from M. vaginatus and S. javanicum consisted mainly of equal proportion of Man, Gal and Glc, that from P. tenue consisted mainly of arabinose, glucose and rhamnose. Arabinose was present in pyranose form, mainly α-l 1→3 linked, with branches on C4 of almost half of the units. Glucose was responsible for the terminal units, in addition of having some units as β1→3 and some as β1→4 linked. Rhamnose was mainly 1→3 linked with branches on C2 on half of the units. The carbohydrate polymer from D. olivaceus was composed mainly of β-1→4 linked xylose, galactose and glucose. The galactose part was present both in β-pyranose and -furanose forms. Arabinose in α-l-furanose form was mainly present as 1→2 and 1→2, 5 linked units, rhamnose only as α 1→3 and xylose as β 1→4. The backbone of the polysaccharide from Nostoc sp. was composed of β-1→4 linked xylose, galactose and glucose. Most of the glucose was branched on position C6, terminal glucose and 2-O-methyl glucose units are also present. The relationship between structure, physical properties and potential biological function is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies polysaccharides from three edible species of Nostoc (cyanobacteria) with different colony morphologies. Comparison of monosaccharide compositions and viscosities of polysaccharides from field colonies and suspension cultures; Isolation of excreted extracellular polymeric substances from the media in which the suspension cultures were grown; Main monosaccharides of the field colony polysaccharides from the three species.

Platycodonis Radix is widely used as homology of medicine and food in China; polysaccharides are thought to be one of its functional constituents. In this study, a pectic polysaccharide, PGP-I-I, was obtained from the root of the traditional medicine plant Platycodon grandiflorus through ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. This was characterized being mainly composed of 1,5-α-L-arabinan and both arabinogalactan type I (AG-I) and II chains linked to rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) backbone linked to longer galacturonan chains. In vitro bioactivity study showed that PGP-I-I could restore the intestinal cellular antioxidant defense under the condition of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) treatment through promoting the expressions of cellular antioxidant genes and protect against oxidative damages. • A pectic polysaccharide PGP-I-I was purified from Platycodon grandiflorus. • PGP-I-I contains long HG regions and AG side chains, with Mw of 27.9 kDa. • PGP-I-I promotes antioxidant defense of the intestinal porcine epithelial cells in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutral polysaccharides from Ningxia L. barbarum fruit have been reported with immunomodulatory and antioxidative biological activities. Few studies on pectic polysaccharides have been reported, especially not from the Xinjiang L. barbarum. In the present study, a pectic polysaccharide, XLBP-I-I, was obtained from water decoction of Xinjiang L. barbarum using anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The results from methanolysis, methylation, FT-IR and NMR experiments indicated that XLBP-I-I was a typical pectic polysaccharide. In vitro assay showed that XLBP-I-I could reduce the ER stress and UPR in tunicamycin insult IPEC-J2 cells, and further protect IPEC-J2 cells against apoptosis induced by ER stress. These results reveal a new perspective for pectic L. barbarum polysaccharides on intestine ER stress, and this elicited interests for its further applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inulin-type fructan was obtained by DEAE anion exchange chromatography from C. pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L. T. Shen, after optimized extract condition, which was established by response surface methodology, designed using Box-Behnken factorial design and the optimum condition were: extracting 2.5 h with ratio of solvent to material 40 mL/g at 100 °C, twice. The maximum extraction yield was 20.6 ± 0.2%. It was confirmed as β-(2-1) linkage fructan, with terminal glucose, and with a degree of polymerization of 2–17 (DP av  = 6), shown by the results of methanolysis, methylation, nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular weight determination. The prebiotic activity was proven on account of stimulation effect on Lactobacillus and pH reduction of medium in vitro . The results indicated that the inulin from C. pilosula could be used as a potential natural source of prebiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia afra ( Jacq. Ex. Willd ), is an indigenous plant in South Africa and other parts of the African continent, where it is used as traditional medicine mostly for respiratory conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the structural features of the polysaccharides from the leaves of this plant, as well as the biological activities of the polysaccharide fractions against the complement assay. Leaves of Artemisia afra were extracted sequentially with organic solvents (dichloromethane and methanol), 50% aqueous ethanol, and water at 50 and 100 °C respectively. The polysaccharide extracts were fractionated by ion exchange chromatography and the resulting fractions were tested for biological activity against the complement fixation assay. Active fractions were further fractionated using gel filtration. Monosaccharide compositions and linkage analyses were determined for the relevant fractions. Polysaccharides were shown to be of the pectin type, and largely contain arabinogalactan, rhamnogalacturonan and homogalacturonan structural features. The presence of arabinogalactan type II features as suggested by methylation analysis was further confirmed by the ready precipitation of the relevant polysaccharides with the Yariv reagent. An unusual feature of some of these polysaccharides was the presence of relatively high levels of xylose as one of its monosaccharide constituents. Purified polysaccharide fractions were shown to possess higher biological activity than the selected standard in the complement assay. Digestion of these polysaccharides with an endo -polygalacturonase enzyme resulted in polymers with lower molecular weights as expected, but still with biological activity which exceeded that of the standard. Thus on the basis of these studies it may be suggested that immunomodulating properties probably contribute significantly to the health-promoting effects of this medicinal plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two polysaccharides, GCP-I-I and GCP-II-I, were obtained from 100 °C water extracts of Gentiana crassicaulis roots by DEAE anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The results from methanolysis, methylation, FT-IR and NMR, indicated that these two fractions are typical pectic polysaccharides, with HG and RG-I regions and AG-I/AG-II side chains, and some of the galacturonic acid units of fraction GCP-I-I were methyl esterified. Fractions GCP-I-I and GCP-II-I, both exhibited potent complement fixation, and fraction GCP-I-I was more potent than positive control BPII. The higher complement fixation activity obtained in fraction GCP-I-I may be due to the higher Mw and/or higher amount of AG-II present in fraction GCP-I-I than fraction GCP-II-I. The polysaccharides from G. crassicaulis could be used as a potential natural immunomodulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. However, tons of aerial parts of this plant are usually discarded in the production of roots preparation. To make better use of these plant resources, the polysaccharide isolated from the aerial part of S. miltiorrhiza was investigated for its potential protection against intestinal diseases. A pectic polysaccharide (SMAP-1) was isolated and characterized being composed of homogalacturonan as the main chain and rhamnogalacturonan type I as ramified region, with side chains including arabinans and possible arabinogalactan type I and II. SMAP-1 exhibited robust protective effects against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and restored colitis symptoms, colonic inflammation, and barrier functions. Anti-oxidative effects were also observed by up-regulating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Additionally, the level of serum 5-methoxyindole-3-carboxaldehyde (5-MC) was restored by SMAP-1 identified in metabolomic analysis, being correlated with the aforementioned effects. Protection against oxidative stress on intestinal porcine enterocyte cells (IPEC-J2) by 5-MC was observed through the activation of Nrf2/Keap1 system, as also shown by SMAP-1. In conclusion, SMAP-1 could be a promising candidate for colitis prevention, and 5-MC could be the signal metabolite of SMAP-1 in protecting against oxidative stress in the intestine. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong is an effective medical plant, which has been extensively applied for centuries in migraine and cardiovascular diseases treatment in China. Polysaccharides from this plant have been shown to have interesting bioactivities, but previous studies have only been performed on the neutral polysaccharides. In this study, LCP-I-I, a pectic polysaccharide fraction, was obtained from the 100 °C water extracts of L. chuangxiong rhizomes and purified by diethylaminethyl (DEAE) sepharose anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Monosaccharide analysis and linkage determination in addition to Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum, indicated that LCP-I-I is a typical pectic polysaccharide, with homo-galacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan type I regions and arabinogalactan type I and type II (AG-I/AG-II) side chains. LCP-I-I exhibited potent complement fixation activity, ICH50 of 26.3 ± 2.2 μg/mL, and thus has potential as a natural immunomodulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Syzygium guineense has been traditionally used in Mali in West Africa for the treatment of different diseases such as stomach problems, wounds, inflammations and various female disorders. Aims of the study (1) To perform an ethnopharmacological survey on the traditional use of S. guineense among Malian healers. (2) To isolate and identify chemical constituents from S. guineense leaves and to study their radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory effects. Materials and methods In four different districts in Mali, 44 healers were interviewed about their medicinal use of S. guineense . A methanol extract of the leaves of this tree was prepared and further fractionated using different chromatographic methods. Isolated compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Extracts and isolated compounds were investigated as DPPH radical scavengers and as inhibitors of xanthine oxidase and 15-lipoxygenase, and the methanol extract was tested for toxicity towards Artemia salina nauplii. Results Major uses by Malian healers were against dermatosis, pain, malaria/fever and for wound healing. There was little consensus about the use in the different districts. Leaves were most commonly used. From the methanol leaf extract, the flavonoids gallocatechin ( 1 ), myricetin ( 2 ), myricetin-3- O -glucoside ( 3 ), myricetin-3- O -rhamnoside ( 4 ), myricetin-3- O -glucuronide ( 5 ) and myricetin-3- O -β-D-(6″-galloyl)galactoside ( 6 ), the gallotannins 1,2,3,6-tetra- O -galloyl-β-D-glucose ( 7 ) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose ( 8 ), and the ellagitannins casuarictin ( 9 ) and casuarinin ( 10 ) were isolated. These ten polyphenols are all new for the species. The crude methanol extract was active as a radical scavenger and as an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase and 15-lipoxygenase. Among the isolated compounds, pentagalloylglucose was the best enzyme inhibitor (IC 50 25±4 μM for 15-lipoxygenase, 8±1 μM for xanthine oxidase), while casuarictin (IC 50 3.9±0.1 μM), casuarinin (IC 50 4.5±0.3 μM) and pentagalloylglucose (IC 50 5±1 μM) showed the highest radical scavenging activity. The methanol extract was non-toxic to Artemia salina nauplii. Conclusion S. guineense leaves are commonly used among Malian healers, however the traditional practice varies a lot between different regions. The leaves of S. guineense are rich in polyphenols; several are galloylated, either as galloylated flavonoids, gallotannins or ellagitannins. The high content of biologically active polyphenols might be important for medicinal effects of this plant and might give a rationale for the widespread usage of S. guineense in Mali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roots of Aconitum carmichaelii are used in Asian countries due to its content of bioactive alkaloids. In the production of root preparations, tons of leaves are usually discarded, leading to a huge waste of herbal material. The aim of this study is to investigate the polysaccharides in these unutilized leaves. A neutral polysaccharide (AL-N) appeared to be a mixture of heteromannans, and two purified acidic polysaccharides (AL-I-I and AL-I-II) were shown to be pectins containing a homogalacturonan backbone substituted with terminal β-Xyl p- units. AL-I-I consisted of a type-I rhamnogalacturonan core, with arabinan and type-II arabinogalactan domains while AL-I-II was less branched. AL-N and AL-I-I were able to modulate the complement system, while AL-I-II was inactive. Interestingly, AL-N, AL-I-I and AL-I-II were shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects on porcine enterocyte IPEC-J2 cells. AL-I-I and AL-I-II were able to down-regulate the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The root bark, stem bark, and leaves of Terminalia macroptera were sequentially extracted with ethanol, 50% ethanol–water, and 50 °C water using an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE). Six bioactive purified pectic polysaccharide fractions were obtained from the 50 °C crude water extracts after anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The root bark, stem bark, and leaves of T. macroptera were all good sources for fractions containing bioactive polysaccharides. The high molecular weight fraction 50WTRBH-I-I, being the most active fraction in the complement fixation test, has a highly ramified rhamnogalacturonan type I (RG-I) region with arabinogalactan type II (AG-II) side chains. The most abundant fractions from each plant part, 50WTRBH-II-I, 50WTSBH-II-I, and 50WTLH-II-I, were chosen for pectinase degradation. The degradation with pectinase revealed that the main features of these fractions are that of pectic polysaccharides, with hairy regions (RG-I regions) and homogalacturonan regions. The activity of the fractions obtained after pectinase degradation and separation by gel filtration showed that the highest molecular weight fractions, 50WTRBH-II-Ia, 50WTSBH-II-Ia, and 50WTLH-II-Ia, had higher complement fixation activity than their respective native fractions. These results suggest that the complement fixation activities of these pectins are expressed mainly by their ramified regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The root bark, stem bark and leaves of Terminalia macroptera have been traditionally used against a variety of ailments such as wounds, hepatitis, malaria, fever, cough, and diarrhea as well as tuberculosis and skin diseases in African folk medicine. Boiling water extracts of Terminalia macroptera , administered orally, are the most common preparations of this plant used by the traditional healers in Mali. This study aimed to investigate the inhibition of the activities of α-glucosidase, 15-lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase, DPPH scavenging activity, complement fixation activity and brine shrimp toxicity of different extracts obtained by boiling water extraction (BWE) and by ASE (accelerated solvent extraction) with ethanol, ethanol–water and water as extractants from different plant parts of Terminalia macroptera . Materials and methods 27 different crude extracts were obtained by BWE and ASE from root bark, stem bark and leaves of Terminalia macroptera . The total phenolic and carbohydrate contents, enzyme inhibition activities (α-glucosidase, 15-lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase), DPPH scavenging activity, complement fixation activity and brine shrimp toxicity of these extracts were evaluated. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied for total biological activities evaluation. Results Several of the extracts from root bark, stem bark and leaves of Terminalia macroptera obtained by BWE and ASE showed potent enzyme inhibition activities, radical-scavenging properties and complement fixation activities. None of the extracts are toxic against brine shrimp larvae in the test concentration. Based on the results from PCA, the ASE ethanol extracts of root bark and stem bark and the low molecular weight fraction of the 50% ethanol–water extract of leaves showed the highest total biological activities. The boiling water extracts were less active, but the bark extracts showed activity as α-glucosidase inhibitors and radical scavengers, the leaf extract being less active. Conclusion The observed enzyme inhibition activities, radical scavenging properties and complement fixation activities may explain some of the traditional uses of this medicinal tree, such as in wound healing and against diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Water decoctions of the root bark, stem bark and leaves of Terminalia macroptera are used by traditional healers in Mali to cure a wide range of illnesses, such as wounds, hepatitis, malaria, fever, cough and diarrhea as well as tuberculosis. Plant polysaccharides isolated from crude water extracts have previously shown effects related to the immune system. The aims of this study are comparing the properties of the polysaccharides among different plant parts, as well as relationship between chemical characteristics and complement fixation activities when the plant material has been extracted as the traditional healers do, with boiling water directly. Materials and methods Root bark, stem bark and leaves of Terminalia macroptera were extracted by boiling water, and five purified polysaccharide fractions were obtained by anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Chemical compositions were determined by GC of the TMS derivatives of the methyl-glycosides and the linkage determined after permethylation and GC-MS of the derived partly methylated alditol acetates. The bioactivity was determined by the complement fixation assay of the crude extracts and purified fractions. Results The acidic fraction TRBD-I-I isolated from the root bark was the most active of the fractions isolated. Structural studies showed that all purified fractions are of pectic nature, containing rhamnogalacturonan type I backbone. Arabinogalactan type II side chains were present in all fractions except TRBD-I-II. The observed differences in complement fixation activities among the five purified polysaccharide fractions are probably due to differences in monosaccharide compositions, linkage types and molecular sizes. Conclusion The crude extracts from root bark and stem bark have similar total activities, both higher than those from leaves. The root bark, leaves and stem bark are all good sources for fractions containing bioactive polysaccharides. But due to sustainability, it is prefer to use leaves rather than the other two plant parts, and then the dosage by weight must be higher when using leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of a carbohydrate moiety on asparagine 297 in the Fc part of an IgG molecule is essential for its effector functions and thus influences its vaccine protective effect. Detailed structural carbohydrate analysis of vaccine induced IgGs is therefore of interest as this knowledge can prove valuable in vaccine research and design and when optimizing vaccine schedules. In order to better understand and exploit the protective potential of IgG antibodies, we carried out a pilot study; collecting serum or plasma from volunteers receiving different vaccines and determining the IgG subclass glycosylation patterns against specific vaccine antigens at different time points using LC-ESI-MS analysis. The four vaccines included a pneumococcal capsule polysaccharide vaccine, a meningococcal outer membrane vesicle vaccine, a seasonal influenza vaccine, and a pandemic influenza vaccine. The number of volunteers was limited, but the results following immunization indicated that the IgG subclass which dominated the response showed increased galactose and the level of sialic acid increased with time for most vaccinees. Fucose levels increased for some vaccinees but in general stayed relatively unaltered. The total background IgG glycosylation analyzed in parallel varied little with time and hence the changes seen were likely to be caused by vaccination. The presence of an adjuvant in the pandemic influenza vaccine seemed to produce simpler and less varied glycoforms compared to the adjuvant-free seasonal influenza vaccine. This pilot study demonstrates that detailed IgG glycosylation pattern analysis might be a necessary step in addition to biological testing for optimizing vaccine development and strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The root bark, stem bark and leaves of Terminalia macroptera were sequentially extracted with ethanol, 50% ethanol-water, and 50 °C and 100 °C water using an accelerated solvent extractor. Ten bioactive purified polysaccharide fractions were obtained from those crude extracts after anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The polysaccharides and their native extracts were characterized with respect to molecular weight, chemical compositions and effects in the complement assay. The chemical compositions showed that the polysaccharides are of pectic nature. The results indicated that there was no great difference of the complement fixation activities in the crude extracts from the different plant parts when extracting with the accelerated solvent extraction system. The purified polysaccharide fractions 100WTSBH-I-I and 100WTRBH-I-I isolated from the 100 °C water extracts of stem and root bark respectively, showed the highest complement fixation activities. These two fractions have rhamnogalacturonan type I backbone, but only 100WTSBH-I-I contains side chains of both arabinogalactan type I and II. Based on the yield and activities of the fractions studied those from the root bark gave highest results, followed by those from leaves and stem bark. But in total, all plant materials are good sources for fractions containing bioactive polysaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In Malian traditional medicine infusions of the roots of Vernonia kotschyana or Cochlospermum tinctorium in water are used for treating gastric ulcer. Helicobacter pylori is known to play a major role in gastric ulcer development, and it was of interest to evaluate a potential anti-adhesive activity towards H. pylori by crude water extracts and isolated polysaccharide fractions from the roots of V. kotschyana and C. tinctorium. The inhibitory effects were examined by an in vitro flow cytometric assay using human gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells, where fluorescent-labeled H. pylori were pre-treated with the test fractions. The crude extract Ctw50 from C. tinctorium, containing a mixture of inulin, pectic polysaccharides, phenols and protein, led to a 43% reduction of bacterial attachment. The isolated pectic type fractions CtwA1 and CtwA2 from C. tinctorium, and Vko-I from V. kotschyana resulted in approximately 30% inhibition of H. pylori adhesion. These fractions consist of rhamnogalacturonan backbones with side chains of arabinogalactans and/or arabinans. The low degree of uronic acids in the fractions compared to anti-adhesive polysaccharides reported previously, suggests that the neutral side chains might play a role in the binding of bacterial adhesins. The fraction Vko-III.1 from V. kotschyana consisting mainly of galacturonic acid resulted only in a 19% inhibition of H. pylori adhesion. The anti-adhesive properties shown by the crude water extracts and isolated polysaccharide fractions in the present study might partly explain the anti-ulcer activities by the roots of V. kotschyana and C. tinctorium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Sutherlandia frutescens (syn. Lessertia frutescens) is an indigenous plant in Southern Africa and has been extensively studied from the ethnobotanical point of view. Amongst the various traditional uses, several illnesses involving the immune system have been reported. Due to some of the therapeutic effects observed, in relation to the traditional uses reported by the “khoi san” and “nama” people on cancer related illnesses, the plant has been given the local name kankerbos (cancerbush). Recently the plant has also been used amongst HIV/AIDS patients to stimulate the immune system. Materials and methods: Leaves of Sutherlandia frutescens were extracted sequentially with ethanol, 50% ethanol/water, and water at 50 and 100°C. The polysaccharides were extracted with water and fractionated by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration to obtain enriched polysaccharide fractions. The bioactivities of the fractions were tested in the complement assay. Some of the fractions were treated with the enzyme pectinase, and the fragments thus produced were separated by gel filtration and their activities tested. Monosaccharide compositions and linkage analyses were determined for the relevant fractions. Results: The leaves of Sutherlandia frutescens contain polysaccharides of the pectin type. Fractions from both the water extracts of 50 and 100°C were bioactive. Fractions chosen for further studies showed that the fragment with the highest M W after the pectinase treatment had a substantially higher biological effect than the parent molecules. Based on a comparison of the different fractions it was concluded that galactose-rich regions were important for the bioactivity, these being of the AGII and AGI type, with the latter probably being more important than the former. Fragments rich in xylose also gave higher activity than those without it. Conclusions: Our theory that the polysaccharides present in the leaves of Sutherlandia frutescens could be of importance as immunomodulating agents was confirmed. It was also shown that certain types of polysaccharides had a higher effect in the complement system than others. Thus both the water extracts obtained at 50 and 100°C contain interesting biologically active polysaccharides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] A method for extraction of bark polysaccharides with hot-water is proposed. [•] The highest extraction yield is obtained at 140°C. [•] The glycosidic linkages of bark polysaccharides are reported. [•] Bark extracts containing pectins show high immunomodulating activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Seven polysaccharide fractions were obtained from the bark of Parkia biglobosa. [•] Chemical composition, molecular weight and linkage units were characterized. [•] The complement fixation and macrophage stimulating activities were determined. [•] Partial structure–activity relationships of the polysaccharides were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pectic polysaccharides have attracted great attention due to their health-promoting potential. From the Styrian oil-pumpkin biomass representing an alternative pectin source, two series of acidic polysaccharide fractions were isolated using in succession hot water, EDTA and dilute HCl. Chemical and spectroscopic (FTIR, NMR) analyses of the fractions revealed the predominance of partially methylesterified and acetylated pectins containing homogalacturonan and ramified rhamnogalacturonan elements, and a minority of phenolic compounds, protein and hemicelluloses. The pectins exhibited moderate antioxidant activities tested by colorimetric DPPH and FRAP assays and EPR method. The activities correlated with the total phenolic content. In the complement-fixing test, most of the pectin fractions exhibited potent effects comparable to the positive control – a pectin from Plantago major. The oil-pumpkin pectins represent potential antioxidant and immunoenhancing additives applicable in food and nutraceuticals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article offers information on the seven Médicaments Traditionnels Améliorés (MTAs) in Mali. It states that these improved traditional medicines are intended to be safe and effective, locally produced, and inexpensive, as an alternative to imported medicines. These MTAs include Balembo syrup (Crossopteryx febrifuga), Dysentéral (Euphorbia hirta), and Gastrosédal (Vernonia kotschyana).