New dextran derivatives. I. Nitrogen containing derivatives.

Three new derivatives of dextran were obtained: 3-morpholine-2-hydroxypropyl ether of dextran (I), hydroxamic acid of carboxymethyl dextran (II), and oxime of ketodextran (III). All the three derivatives exhibited low toxicity at parenteral administration to laboratory animals. (I) and (II) showed the capability of weakening the activity of tetanus and malignant edema toxins. Additionally, (I) showed immunotropic activity. Biological activity was observed when the derivative (I) had been obtained from dextran of the molecular weight 4000. At the molecular weight 20,000 the activity did not appear. Similarly, no activity was observed under oral administration.