Stimulation of interleukin-8 production by acidic polysaccharides from the root of Panax ginseng.

The root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, is a well-known important Chinese traditional medicine used as a stomachic, tonic, sedative and as an elixir called Ginseng in China and Japan. The precise mechanism of the biological actions of this plant is not fully understood. In order to elucidate the immunomodulating activities of this plant, we examined the direct effects of four of its components, acidic polysaccharides isolated in previous studies, on cytokine (interleukin-8; IL-8) production by a human monocytic cell line, THP-1, and human blood monocytes in vitro, as IL-8 is a potent inflammatory cytokine involved in neutrophil chemotaxis and activation. We found that one component, ginsenan S-IIA, is a potent inducer of IL-8 production by human monocytes and THP-1 cells, and this induction is accompanied by increased IL-8 mRNA expression.

Improved surgical results after combining preoperative hyperthermia with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for patients with carcinoma of the rectum.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term results of preoperative hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy and irradiation (HCR therapy) in patients with carcinoma of the rectum. METHODS: Postoperative prognoses were compared among 36 patients with carcinoma of the rectum, who were given preoperative HCR therapy followed by surgery, and 52 patients undergoing surgery alone without any preoperative therapy. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the prognosis between patients given preoperative HCR therapy plus surgery and those having surgery alone, and five-year survival rates were 91.3 and 64 percent, respectively. Particularly, for patients with tumors invading beyond the muscularis propria and/or with positive lymph node metastasis, a significantly longer survival was obtained with HCR plus surgery than in surgery alone (86.5 vs. 50.9 percent and 92.9 vs. 51.7 percent, respectively). However, no significant differences were observed in the postoperative prognosis for cases with no lymph node metastasis and/or with tumors limited to the muscularis propria between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of preoperative HCR therapy for improving long-term results of patients with carcinoma of the rectum, especially those demonstrating an advanced stage of disease.

Characterization of an acidic polysaccharide with immunological activities from the tuber of Pinellia ternata.

An acidic polysaccharide, called pinellian PA, was isolated from the tuber of Pinellia ternata Breit. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 11.8 x 10(4). Pinellian PA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 5:15:1:3:3, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups and peptide moieties. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance studies show that the core structural features include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose units. Some of the galactose units in the backbone carry beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl side-chains at position 6. Pinellian PA produces significant potentiation of the reticuloendothelial system, as shown by a carbon clearance test, and also exhibits potent anti-complementary activity.

A glucan with immunological activities from the tuber of Alisma orientale.

A glucan, called alisman SI, was isolated from the tuber of Alisma orientale Juzepcz. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was 1.1 x 10(4). It is composed solely of D-glucose. Methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and enzymic degradation studies indicated that it has a high-branched glucan type structure mainly composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues with partially alpha-1,6-linked units and both 3,4- and 4,6-branching points. The polysaccharide exhibited significant reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as a pronounced anti-complementary activity.

Two acidic polysaccharides having reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity from the raw root of Rehmannia glutinosa.

Two acidic polysaccharides, called rehmannan FS-I and rehmannan FS-II, were isolated from the raw root of Rehmannia glutinosa LIBOSCHITZ. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 5.8 x 10(4) and 6.6 x 10(4), respectively. Rehamannan FS-I is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 68:40:4:84:3; rehmannan FS-II is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 18:15:4:33, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. About two-thirds (rehmannan FS-I) and about one half (rehamannan FS-II) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Methylation analysis of the carboxyl-reduced derivatives and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated that their structural features include mainly both arabino-3,6-galactan and rhamno-galacturonan type structural units. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.

An acidic polysaccharide with immunological activities from the root of Paeonia lactiflora.

An acidic polysaccharide, called peonan PA, was isolated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora PALLAS. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 6.0 x 10(4). Peonan PA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 2:1:10, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups and peptide moieties. About forty percent of the hexuronic acid residues in peonan PA exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, lithium degradation and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated that its main structural features involve both alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched D-galactan type and alpha-1,4-linked D-galacturonan type structural units. The polysaccharide exhibited remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test and considerable anti-complementary activity.

The core structure of ginsenan PA, a phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide from the root of Panax ginseng.

Controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of ginsenan PA, the main phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, were performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities of the degradation products were investigated. Methylation analysis of the primary and secondary Smith degradation products indicated that the core structural features of ginsenan PA include a backbone chain mainly composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose. Almost half of the galactose units in the backbone carry side-chains composed of beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues at position 6. Further 3,6-branching of D-galactose units was observed in a part of the side-chains. alpha-L-Arabinose units are connected mainly to the core galactose moieties via position 6. Removal of most of the arabinose units had a considerable effect on immunological activity.

Structural features and anti-complementary activity of rehmannan SA, a polysaccharide from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa.

The structural features of rehmannan SA, a polysaccharide with remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity obtained from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa, were investigated by methylation analysis and periodate oxidation. Rehmannan SA is mainly made up of arabino-3,6-galactan type structural units. Both rehmannan SA and rehmannan SB showed pronounced anti-complementary activity.

Characterization of a novel heteroglucan from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale exhibiting high reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities.

A novel beta-heteroglucan, called cnidirhan SIIA, was isolated from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale MAKINO. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was more than 1 x 10(7). It was composed of D-glucose, D-galactose and L-arabinose in the molar ratio of 85:5:8, in addition to small numbers of O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated its main structural features composed of beta-1,6-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues with both 3,6- and 4,6-branching points. In addition, it has both beta-1,4-linked L-arabinopyranosyl and beta-1,6-linked D-galactopyranosyl residues. The polysaccharide showed very pronounced reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as a marked anti-complementary activity.

A glucan having reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities from the tuber of Pinellia ternata.

A glucan, called pinellian G, was isolated from the tuber of Pinellia ternata BREIT. It was homogenous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 1.5 x 10(4). It is composed solely of D-glucose, in addition to a few O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and enzymic degradation studies indicated that it is a branched glucan mainly composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-glucopyranose residues with partially alpha-1,3-linked units and 4,6-branching points. The glucan showed significant reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as pronounced anti-complementary activity.

Characterization of an acidic polysaccharide having immunological activities from the tuber of Alisma orientale.

An acidic polysaccharide, called alisman PII, was isolated from the tuber of Alisma orientale Juzepcz. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 5.25 x 10(4). It is composed of L-arabinose:D-galactose:D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 4:9:2, in addition to some of O-acetyl groups. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and controlled Smith degradation indicated that the core structural features include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose units. Some of the galactose units in the backbone carry beta-D-galactosyl side chains at position 6. Both alpha-1,5-linked L-arabinosyl side chains and terminal beta-D-glucuronic acid residues are linked to the core galactan units. Alisman PII showed significant potentiation of the reticuloendothelial system using a carbon clearance test and also potent anti-complementary activity.

Characterization of two polysaccharides having activity on the reticuloendothelial system from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa.

Two acidic polysaccharides, called rehmannan SA and rehmannan SB, were isolated from the dried root of Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 6.4 x 10(4) and 7.9 x 10(4), respectively. They were commonly composed of L-arabinose:D-galactose:L-rhamnose:D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratios of 10:10:1:1 (rehmannan SA) and 14:7:3:8 (rehmannan SB), in addition to small amounts of peptide moieties. About eighty percent (rehmannan SA) and about thirty percent (rehmannan SB) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and the controlled Smith degradation studies indicated the structural features of rehmannan SB, the major one in terms of the yield. It has a core structural unit of a characteristic rhamnose-rich arabino-3,6-galactan type. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticulo-endothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.

Characterization of a novel glucan, which exhibits reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities, from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale.

A novel glucan, called cnidirhan SI, was isolated from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale Makino. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 1.3 x 10(4). It is composed of D-glucose alone, in addition to small numbers of O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and enzymic degradation studies indicated it has a high-branched glucan type structure composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-glucopyranose residues with both 3,4- and 4,6-branching points. The glucan showed significant reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as pronounced anti-complementary activity. This substance is the first example of a branched alpha-glucan with phagocytosis-stimulating and anti-complementary activities.

Characterization of two novel polysaccharides having immunological activities from the root of Panax ginseng.

Two acidic polysaccharides, called ginsenan S-IA and ginsenan S-IIA, were isolated from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 5.6 x 10(4) and 1.0 x 10(5), respectively. Ginsenan S-IA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 8:8:1, and ginsenan S-IIA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-glucose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 15:10:2:5, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. About a half (ginsenan S-IA) and about a quarter (ginsenan S-IIA) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated that their structural features include mainly alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched D-galactan type structural units. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test and pronounced anti-complementary activity. These substances are the first examples having a relatively high content of both alpha-3,5-branched L-arabinose and beta-1,4-linked D-galactose units among the acidic arabinogalactans with activities on phagocytosis and anti-complement.

Plant mucilages. XLIII. A representative mucilage with biological activity from the leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

A representative mucilage, called Hibiscus-mucilage RL, was isolated from the leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis, and its molecular mass was estimated to be roughly 1.0 x 10(7). Its intrinsic viscosity value in aqueous solution was 23.2. The major constituent is an acidic polysaccharide composed of L-rhamnose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 5:8:3:2. Methylation analysis, partial hydrolysis and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated its main structural features including a unique backbone chain composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-galactosyl alpha-1,2-linked L-rhamnosyl alpha-1,4-linked D-galacturonic acid units. The mucilage showed considerable anti-complementary activity.

Arabinogalactan core structure and immunological activities of ukonan C, an acidic polysaccharide from the rhizome of Curcuma longa.

Controlled Smith degradation of ukonan C, a phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., was performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating, anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of ukonan C and its degradation products were investigated. Methylation analyses of the primary and secondary Smith degradation products and of a de-arabinosylated product indicated that structural features of the arabinogalactan core of ukonan C include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose and beta-1,4-linked D-xylose. All of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues with or without terminal alpha-L-arabinose units at position 3. Ukonan C showed remarkable effects on both reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities. Periodate oxidation caused a decrease in or disappearance of the immunological activities, but the controlled Smith degradation product having the arabinogalactan core structure of polysaccharide showed a pronounced effect on anti-complementary activity.

Determination of acidic saponins in crude drugs by high-performance liquid chromatography on octadecylsilyl porous glass.

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis on octadecylsilyl porous glass was investigated for acidic saponins in ginseng, bupleurum root and senega. The acidic saponins, malonyl-ginsenosides, malonyl-saikosaponins and senegins, as well as neutral saponins in the crude drugs were separated rapidly by HPLC on this column with aqueous acetonitrile containing KH2PO4 as the mobile phase at room temperature.

Characterization of two acidic polysaccharides having immunological activities from the root of Panax ginseng.

Two acidic polysaccharides, named ginsenan PA and ginsenan PB, were isolated from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 1.6 x 10(5) and 5.5 x 10(4), respectively. They are composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratios of 11:22:1:6:1 (ginsenan PA) and 3:7:2:8:1 (ginsenan PB), in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. Almost all (ginsenan PA) and part (ginsenan PB) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated that their structural features include mainly both alpha-arabino-beta-3,6-galactan type and rhamnogalacturonan type structural units. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, pronounced anti-complementary activity and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activity in a dose dependent manner.

An acidic polysaccharide having immunological activities from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale.

An acidic polysaccharide, designated as cnidirhan AG, was isolated from the rhizomes of Cnidium officinale Makino. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 5.1 x 10(4). It showed pronounced reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, and had a remarkable effect on both anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities. It is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 2:6:1, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance, controlled Smith degradation and limited acid hydrolysis indicated that the core structural features of cnidirhan AG include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose residues. Some of the galactose units in the backbone carry beta-D-galactosyl side chains at position 6. Both alpha-L-arabinosyl arabinose side chains and terminal beta-D-glucuronic acid residues are linked to the core galactan units.

Core structure of glycyrrhizan GA, the main polysaccharide from the stolon of Glycyrrhiza glabra var. glandulifera; anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of the polysaccharide and its degradation products.

The controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of glycyrrhizan GA, a representative polysaccharide with remarkable phagocytosis-enhancing activity isolated from the stolon of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. var. glandulifera Reg. et Herd. were carried out. Methylation analyses of the primary and the secondary Smith degradation products and of the limited hydrolysis product indicated that the core structural features of glycyrrhizan GA include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose residues. Three-fifths of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues at position 6. Anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of the polysaccharide, periodate oxidation-reduction and the controlled Smith degradation products were investigated, and the controlled Smith degradation product showed significant activity.