Sanchinan-A, a Reticuloendothelial System Activating Arabinogalactan from Sanchi-Ginseng (Roots ofPanax notoginseng)

Abstract

A polysaccharide (molecular mass: 1.50·10⁶) named sanchinan-A which shows remarkable reticuloendothelial system potentiating activity in carbon clearance test, was isolated from Sanchi-Ginseng (roots of Panax notoginseng), a Chinese traditional medicine. Chemical and spectroscopic studies led to the structure which is composed of a β-D-(1→3)-linked galactopyranosyl-backbone possessing branching points at position O-6 to which [mainly α-L-arabinofuranosyl and partly β-D-galactopyranosyl]-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranosyl side chains are attached on average to two of three galactosyl units. Sanchinan-A contains a small amount of protein (3.27%).