Constituents of the seed of Malva verticillata. VIII. Smith degradation of MVS-VI, the major acidic polysaccharide, and anti-complementary activity of products.

The controlled Smith degradation of MVS-VI, the major acidic polysaccharide having remarkable anti-complementary activity isolated from the seeds of Malva verticillata L., was performed. Methylation analysis of both the primary and the secondary Smith degradation products indicated that the core structural features of MVS-VI include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose residues. The majority of galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues at position 6. The controlled Smith degradation products showed considerable anti-complementary activity.