ANTITUMOR-ACTIVITY OF OLIGOSACCHARIDES DERIVED FROM PORPHYRA-YEZOENSIS PORPHYRAN

Oligosaccharide fractions, a neutral fraction NOSP and three anionic f ractions OSP3, OSP2, and OSP1, have been obtained from porphyran diges ted with enzymes of Arthrobacter sp. S-22, and examined for in vitro a ntitumor activity against WI-38 VA-13 cells. However, they did not inh ibit growth of WI-38 VA-13 cells. In contrast, the sulfated disacchari de fraction, OSP1, showed considerable antitumor activity against Ehrl ich ascites and Meth-A fibrosarcoma. Furthermore, OSP1 significantly e nhanced the phagocytosis of macrophages when intraperitoneally adminis tered.