Isolation, purification, and immunomodulatory activity in vitro of three polysaccharides from roots of Cudrania tricuspidata.

Three water-soluble polysaccharides (CTPS-1A, CTPS-2B, and CTPS-3A) were obtained from roots of Cudrania tricuspidata (Carr.) Bur. in this study. The homogeneity of polysaccharides was determined, and the average molecular weight, ultraviolet, infrared, monosaccharide composition, and methylation analyses were carried out. Immunomodulatory activity assays in vitro showed that the three polysaccharides could directly stimulate the proliferation of mouse splenocytes alone or combining with concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, their stimulating activities were higher than that of the widely clinically used lentinan at optimal concentrations. CTPS-1A and CTPS-2B also enhanced the pinocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages.