Fibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of α-(1-3)-glucans produced from Streptococcus mutans (MTCC 497).

Streptococcus mutans (MTCC 497) cell associated α-(1-3)-glucans were isolated, characterized and evaluated for their bioactivity profile. Acid hydrolysis of α-(1-3)-glucans revealed presence of glucose moieties. Water insoluble α-(1-3)-glucans (WIG) were sulfated to convert them into water soluble glucans which were characterized by FT-IR spectral studies. The sulfation of WIG was confirmed by the presence of -O-SO3- and C-O-SO3- characteristic peaks at 1240 and 820 cm(-1). MALDI-TOF analysis of sulfated α-(1-3)-glucan revealed 1.2 to 9kDa fragmentation. Antibacterial profile studies revealed higher growth inhibitory activity against Gram negative than Gram positive bacterial strains by sulfated α-(1-3)-glucans. One-fold higher anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value of 0.11mg/ml was observed with sulfated α-(1-3)-glucans over WIG. Time dependent fibrinolytic potential without requirement of tissue plasminogen activators was observed for sulfated α-(1-3)-glucans. This is the first report demonstrating the fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory property for sulfated α-(1-3)-glucans.