Anti-inflammatory and immunologically active polysaccharides of Periandra mediterranea.

Three polysaccharides, glucans with mean M(r)'s of 1.5 x 10(5), 3.6 x 10(4) and 2.1 x 10(4), were isolated from dried roots of Periandra mediterranea by fractionation on Sephacryl S-300 HR and Sephadex G-25. Chemical and spectroscopic studies indicated that they have a highly branched glucan type structure composed of alpha-(1-->4) linked D-glucopyranose residues with both (3-->4) and (4-->6) branching points. The polysaccharides enhance phagocytosis in vivo, and exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.