Anti-complementary and hypoglycemic activities of the glycans from the seeds of Malva verticillata.

Seven polysaccharides and peptidoglycans obtained from the seeds of Malva verticillata were tested for anti-complementary activity. Remarkable activities were observed for MVS-I and MVS-IIA. The former is mainly composed of beta-1,3-linked D-glucan and of alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched D-galactan, and the latter is essentially alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched D-galactan. Further, considerable activities were observed for MVS-IIIA and MVS-IVA. Both glycans possess arabino-3,6-galactan moieties accompanying alpha-1,3-linked L-arabinopyranosyl, beta-1,4-linked D-xylosyl, and alpha-1,4-linked D-galacturonic acid units. In addition, the major neutral polysaccharide (MVS-I), the major peptidoglycan (MVS-V), and the polysaccharide-rich fraction (MVS-V-CH) obtained from MVS-V were tested for hypoglycemic activity. MVS-I especially showed remarkable activity, and MVS-V-CH also exhibited significant activity. From the viewpoint of structural features, the latter belongs to pectic substances.