Constituents of the Seed of Malva verticillata: VII: ¹⁾ Structural Features and Reticuloendothelial System-Potentiating Activity of MVS-I, the Major Neutral Polysaccharide

The structural features of MVS-I, the major neutral polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Malva verticillata L., were elucidated by controlled Smith degradation, methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis and enzymic degradation studies. It has a backbone chain composed of β -1,3-linked D-glucose and D-galactose residues having branches composed of α-l,5-linked L-arabinosyl β -l,4-linked D-galactose and of β -1,4-linked D-galactosyl β -1,3-linked D-glucose residues at position 6 of a part of D-galactose units as side chains. MVS-I showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.