CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SAUSSUREA SALICIFOLIA L. POLYSACCHARIDE COMPLEX AND ITS NO-STIMULATING PROPERTIES

Abstract

A polysaccharide complex (PSC) from the aboveground part of Saussurea salicifolia L. (SS) was isolated and studied. SS PSC contains 54.99±0.53% hexose, 12.99±0.26% uronic acids, 5.24±0.04% protein, neutral monosaccharides are represented by glucose, galactose, xylose and rhamnose (molar ratios: 1,67 : 1,00 : 1,20 : 1,42). Five main components were isolated using ion exchange chromatography. The structure of the obtained polysaccharides (PS) 1-5 was characterized using physicochemical methods, such as IR spectroscopy, high-efficiency exclusive and gas-liquid chromatography, reactions with congo red. All PS are characterized by a different content of hexoses (from 32.46±2.63 to 83.64± 5.93%), uronic acids (from 2.56± 0.17 to 20.07± 3.70%) and a slight admixture of protein (from 0.75±0.13 to 2.28± 0.17%). The polysaccharides obtained are highly homogeneous samples, different in monomeric composition. The major component of SS-1 PS is represented by galactose, SS-2, 3, 4 PS – rhamnose, and SS-5 PS – glucose and xylose. The triple helix structure is installed for SS PSC and PS SS-5. All isolated PS stimulated NO synthase of peritoneal macrophages at control level 2 (LPS), and samples 3, 4 and 5 showed endotoxin-independent activity.