Characterization of an acidic polysaccharide from the seeds of Malva verticillata stimulating the phagocytic activity of cells of the RES.

An acidic polysaccharide, designated as MVS-IVA, was isolated from the seeds of Malva verticillata. It showed a remarkable reticuloendothelial system potentiating activity in the carbon clearance test. Chemical and spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the polysaccharide is rich in alpha-L-arabinofuranose residues and possesses mainly an alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched-D-galactan structure accompanied with rhamnogalacturonan type units. Both alpha-1,3-linked L-arabinopyranose and beta-1,4-linked D-xylopyranose residues were also identified as component units. MVS-IVA contains a small amount of protein (3.3%).