Structure and properties of polysaccharides from VISCUM ALBUM L.

Journal/Book: Oncology 43: suppl. 1, 8-15. 1986;

Abstract: Polysaccharides are possibly involved in the pharmacological effects ofViscum album (mistletoe) extracts, which are used in cancer therapy.Therefore the water-soluble polysaccharides of the fresh plant and thefermented proprietary preparation Iscador were isolated andcharacterized inter alia by methylation analysis, partial hydrolysis andC-13-NMR spectroscopy. The main polysaccharide of the green parts ofViscum is a highly esterified galacturonan whereas in Viscum 'berries' acomplex arabinogalactan is predominant. Both types of these constituentswere found in Iscador but with definite changes in molecular weight andstructure. An interaction between the arabinogalactan and thegalactose-specific lectin (ML I) in Viscum could be demonstrated. Inthree immunological tests (granulocyte, chemiluminescence, carbonclearance test) the polysaccharides failed to increase phagocyticactivity of granulocytes and macrophages. Author.

Keyword(s): CARBON/ME (metabolism)

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