Larch Larix occidentalis and Arabinogalactan:Anti-Metastatic and Immune Stimulant natural source.

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Modern Research of ABG.

Western Larch Extract D-Arabinogalacatan Arabinogalactan Extract CAS 9036-66-2 Larix occidentalis Nutt L-arabinofuranose unit or 3-O-(beta-L-arabinopyranosyl)-alfa-L-arabinofuranosyl units photo picture image Cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as cultures of preseparated peripheral non-adherent cells (PNAC) and monocytes showed enhancement of natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity against K562 tumor cells when pretreated with arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis for 48-72 h. Lack of enhanced responses of PBMC (37% of donors) did not necessarily mean that PNAC and monocyte cultures were also non-responsive to arabinogalactan treatment. Moreover, PBMC, PNAC and monocytes of individual donors could exhibit various responses to arabinogalactan when cultures derived from bleedings after intervals of several months were assayed. Arabinogalactan-mediated enhancement of NK cytotoxicity was not initiated directly but was found to be governed by the cytokine network. Generally, arabinogalactan pretreatment induced an increased release of interferon gamma (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and IL-6 but only IFN gamma was involved in enhancement of NK cytotoxicity since cytotoxicity enhancement of PBMC and PNAC but not that of monocytes could be blocked when anti-IFN gamma antibodies were present during pretreatment. The presence of anti-IL-2 antibodies completely blocked NK cytotoxicity enhancement of PBMC and only moderately that of PNAC and monocytes. This blocking effect was also observed when no detectable increase of IL-2 release could be recorded. The receptor specificity of arabinogalactan is not well characterized. Initial information obtained from comparative studies indicated that arabinogalactan presumably interacts with a receptor that showed specificity for a NK-cytotoxicity-enhancing oligo-saccharide from Viscum album extracts since the action of both components was not synergistic but rather competitive.

 Larch arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis was shown to increase circulating peripheral blood monocytes. Tumor cells pretreated with larch arabinogalactan enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity and phagocytic capacities of macrophages and lymphocytes, and increased release of various cytokines, such as IFN-[gamma], TNF-[alpha], IL-1[beta], and IL-6. Larch arabinogalactans are a class of long, densely branched high-molecular weight polysaccharides (10,000-120,000 daltons). High-grade arabinogalactan extracted form Larix occidentalis is composed of 90-98 percent arabinogalactan, and experimental analysis has determined larch arabinogalactan to be a highly branched molecule of 3,6-beta-D-galactan.There are numerous patents identified in product development using larch arabinogalactan. According to the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Notice No. GRN 000047 (FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Premarket Approval), functional properties of larch arabinogalactan permit its use as a film-former, foam adhesive, additive, thickener, bulking agent, emulsifier, and as a therapeutic agent. Based on food grade status and numerous studies supporting the safety of larch arabinogalactan, it is considered to be extremely safe with minimum to no toxicity.

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citations1.Larch Larix occidentalis and Arabinogalactan:Anti-Metastatic and Immune Stimulant natural source.

last edit date:20th,June.2009.