Immunostimulating effects of a sulfated galactan from Codium fragile

A pyruvylated sulfated galactan from Codium fragile is a highly ramified polysaccharide consisting of 3-linked, 3,6-linked, and non-reducing terminal d-galactose with pyruvate and sulfate groups; the glycan exerts anti-herpes simplex virus type 2 effects in vitro and in vivo. This particular polysaccharide was found to stimulate the production of nitric oxide by inducing iNOS at the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, the polysaccharide also induced several cytokine mRNA expressions such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α. Therefore, it appears that the sulfated galactan might possess the immunostimulating effects via activation of macrophages.