Structure-activity in the carrageenans: iota-carrageenan and experimental oedemagenic activity
Anderson, W.; Harthill, J.E.; Zeitlin, I.J.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 36(12): 808-813
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3573 PMID: 6151972 Document Number: 226350
The edemagenic activities of several iota-carrageenans from Eucheuma spinosum were compared using the rat hindpaw model. From the parent .iota.-carrageenan of weight average MW 541,100 an acid-degraded .iota.-carrageenan (.hivin.MW = 20,300) was obtained which on fractionatoin yielded five .iota.-carrageenans .hivin.MW ranging from 73,700 to 4600. The edemagenic activity of .iota.-carrageenan resided in the fraction of .hivin.MW = 73,700, the parent undegraded high MW .iota.-carrageenan being no more active and fractions of lower MW being inactive. Fractionation was based on differential solubilities of the barium salts of the fractions in water and aqueous ethanol and was probably determined by aspects of primary structure in addition to MW.