Abstract

Polysaccharide from Cissus adenocaulis (Steud) was isolated, fractionated and purified with a view to investigate the nature and biological properties of the polysaccharide and to compare their activities with polysaccharides of medicinal value. Crude polysaccharide was isolated from the stem and root of C. adenocaulis by a procedure that consisted of extraction (with cold and hot water) and precipitation with cold absolute ethanol. The polysaccharide was fractionated into four fractions by selective precipitation with Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Biological properties of the polysaccharides of C. adenocaulis were also investigated by determining the haemolytic and immunostimulating properties. The results of the study revealed that the polysaccharide from the stem and root of C. adenocaulis was a glycoprotein. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) fractionated the polysaccharides into neutral, basic and acidic sugars. Homogeneity of each fraction was confirmed by thin layer chromatography. Polysaccharides of C. adenocaulis were adjudged to be a heteropolysaccharide, individual sugars in the polysaccharide include glucose, galacturonic acid and galactosamine. Studies on the biological properties of the polysaccharide revealed that it has antihaemolytic properties and exhibited weak antigenic properties.

Key words: Cissus adenocaulis, Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), haemolytic properties, anti-inflammatory, antigenic.