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Macrophage activation by the polysaccharide arabinogalactan isolated from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea.

Abstract
In this study, acidic arabinogalactan, a highly purified polysaccharide from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea, with a molecular weight of 75,000, was effective in activating macrophages to cytotoxicity against tumor cells and micro-organisms (Leishmania enriettii). Furthermore, this polysaccharide induced macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interferon-beta 2. Arabinogalactan did not activate B cells and did not induce T cells to produce interleukin-2, interferon-beta 2, or interferon-gamma, but it did induce a slight increase in T-cell proliferation. When injected ip, this agent stimulated macrophages, a finding that may have therapeutic implications in the defense against tumors and infectious diseases.
AuthorsB Luettig, C Steinmüller, G E Gifford, H Wagner, M L Lohmann-Matthes
JournalJournal of the National Cancer Institute (J Natl Cancer Inst) Vol. 81 Issue 9 Pg. 669-75 (May 03 1989) ISSN: 0027-8874 [Print] United States
PMID2785214 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Galactans
  • Interferon Type I
  • Interleukin-1
  • Interleukin-2
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • arabinogalactan
Topics
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Galactans (pharmacology)
  • Interferon Type I (biosynthesis)
  • Interleukin-1 (metabolism)
  • Interleukin-2 (biosynthesis)
  • Lymphocyte Activation (drug effects)
  • Macrophage Activation (drug effects)
  • Macrophages (immunology, metabolism)
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Phagocytosis (drug effects)
  • Plants (analysis)
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (biosynthesis)

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