Characterization of a Polysaccharide Having Activity on the Reticuloendothelial System from the Stolon of Glycyrrhiza glabra var: Glanduhfera

An acidic polysaccharide, named glycyrrhizan GA, was isolated from the stolon of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. var. glandulifera reg.etherd. It produced a single band on electrophoresis and a single peak on gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 85000. Glycyrrhizan GA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid:D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 22:10:1:2:1, in addition to small amounts of 0-acetyl groups. Part of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Methylation analysis, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated that its structural features include mainly a-arabino-/l-3,6-galactan type structural units. Glycyrrhizan GA showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.