Antiinflammatory activity of the pectic polysaccharide from Comarum palustre

A pectic polysaccharide named comaruman (CP) was extracted from the aerial part of Comarum palustre with 0.7% aqueous ammonium oxalate and subsequent precipitation with ethanol. Oral administration of comaruman (5-100 mg/kg) was found to reduce a paw edema observed 24 h after injection of 2% formalin in mice. A fraction of comaruman (CP-H9) exhibited a similar antiinflammatory activity. Comaruman, CP deprived of lipid, CP purified by proteins and CP fractions obtained with acidic hydrolysis inhibit spontaneous and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-activated adhesion of peritoneal leukocytes in vitro.