A Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from the Fruit Bodies of Bulgaria inquinans (Fries)‎ and Its Anti-Malarial Activity

Abstract EN

A water-soluble polysaccharide (BIWS-4b) was purified from the fruit bodies of Bulgaria inquinans (Fries).

It is composed of mannose (27.2%), glucose (15.5%) and galactose (57.3%).

Its molecular weight was estimated to be 7.4 kDa (polydispersity index, Mw/Mn: 1.35).

Structural analyses indicated that BIWS-4b mainly contains (1→6)-linked, (1→5)-linked and (1→5,6)-linked β-Galf units; (1→4)-linked and non-reducing terminal β-Glcp units; and (1→2)-linked, (1→6)-linked, (1→2,6)-linked and non-reducing terminal α-Manp units.

When examined by the 4-day method and in a prophylactic assay in mice, BIWS-4b exhibited markedly suppressive activity against malaria while enhancing the activity of artesunate.

Immunological tests indicated that BIWS-4b significantly enhanced macrophage phagocytosis and splenic lymphocyte proliferation in malaria-bearing mice and normal mice.

The anti-malarial activity of BIWS-4b might be intermediated by enhancing immune competence and restoring artesunate-suppressed immune function.

Thus, BIWS-4b is a potential adjuvant of anti-malaria drugs.