A reticuloendothelial system-activating glycan from the seeds of Malva verticillata

From the hot water extract of the seeds of Malva verticillata, a polysaccharide (MVS-IIIA) has been isolated by fractionation on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 followed by chromatography on Sephacryl S-500 and Con A-Sepharose columns. Chemical and spectroscopic studies established that the polysaccharide possesses mainly an α-1,5-Iinked l-arabino-3,6-β-d-galactan structure. α-1,3-Linked l-arabinopyranose, β-1,4-linked d-xylose and α-1,4-linked d-galacturonic acid residues were also identified as the component units. The polysaccharide showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system potentiating activity in the carbon clearance test.