A GLUCAN WITH IMMUNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES FROM THE TUBER OF ALISMA-ORIENTALE

A glucan, called alisman SI, was isolated from the tuber of Alisma ori entale JUZEPCZ. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromato graphy, and its molecular mass was 1.1x10(4). It is composed solely of D-glucose. Methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and enzym ic degradation studies indicated that it has a high-branched glucan ty pe structure mainly composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-glucopyranosyl resi dues with partially alpha-1,6-linked units and both 3,4- and 4,6-branc hing points. The polysaccharide exhibited significant reticuloendothel ial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well a s a pronounced anti-complementary activity.