Sulfated-polysaccharides are complex macromolecular constituents of the extracellular matrix of marine algae that play an important role in mechanical, osmotic and ionic regulation.1) In Biomedicine the anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties have been most widely exploited and, at least for galactans, appear to be dependent on the sulfatation content and/or position of the sulfate groups.2) A natural sulfated polymer of L-fucose (fucoidan) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of leukocyte migration in the in vivo peritonitis model, 3) and sulfated fucans isolated from brown algae showed potent in vitro and in vivo inhibition of the human complement system. 4,5) It was demonstrated that a sulfatedpolysaccharide fraction extracted from the brown algae Porphyra haitanesis presents an in vivo antioxidant property, causing an increase in the spleen and thymus size, suggestive of an immunostimulant action. 6) Additionally, sulfated galactans of the red marine algae Bryothamnion seaforthii presented antinociceptive activity in mice 7) and of the red micro algae Pophyridium sp. anti-inflammatory action inhibiting eritema formation after topical use in humans.8) However, studies of sulfated galactans role in models of inflammation in vivo are rare in the literature. Here we isolated and investigated the effects of a sulfated galactan from the red marine algae Champia feldmannii, widely encountered along the South East and North East Brazilian sea coast, in experimental models of acute inflammation, coagulation and nociception. MATERIALS AND METHODS AnimalsMale Wistar rats (150-250 g) and Swiss mice (25-35 g) were maintained with a controlled 12/12 h light/dark cycle, at a temperature of 25°C with free access to food and water. The experimental protocols used in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the State University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, in accordance with international guidelines (NIH publication No. 85-23, revised 1985).Algae Champia feldmannii belongs to the order Rhodymeniales, family Lomentariaceae and was collected in the Pacheco beach of Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil. Algae were classified by Wladimir R. L. Farias, Department of Fishery Engeneering of Federal University of Ceará-Brazil.Erythrocytes Human erythrocytes were obtained from healthy donors at the Hematology Center of the Federal University of Ceará-Brazil.Drugs and Reagents Dextran sulphate, L-carrageenan, Evans blue, zymosan, morphine, cethylpiridinium chloride, sodium acetate, calcium chloride, ketamine, sulphuric acid, papain, 1-9-di-metylene blue (DMB), ethylenodiaminotetracetic acid (EDTA), indomethacin, dexamethasone, pentoxifylline, L-N-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), meclyzine and formamide, N-acetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide, 1,3-diaminopropane, toluidine blue, agarose gel (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, U.S.A. or SigmaAldrich Chemie, Steinheim, Germany); absolute ethanol, sodium chloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 2-mer- 907, 60.455-970, Fortaleza-Ceará-Brasil. R...

This paper describes the purification and characterization of a new N-acetyl-d-glucosamine-specific lectin from Araucaria angustifolia (AaL) seeds (Araucariaceae) and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. AaL was purified using a combination of affinity chromatography on a chitin column and ion exchange chromatography on Sephacel-DEAE. The pure protein has 8.0kDa (SDS-PAGE) and specifically agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes, effect that was independent of the presence of divalent cations and was inhibited after incubation with glucose and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine. AaL showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, shown by scanning electron microscopy. AaL, intravenously injected into rats, showed anti-inflammatory effect, via carbohydrate site interaction, in the models of paw edema and peritonitis. This lectin can be used as a tool for studying bacterial infections and inflammatory processes.

This study investigated and compared vascular actions of leguminous lectins obtained from the Canavalia genus (Canavalia brasiliensis, Canavalia gladiata, and Canavalia maritima) in the rat models of paw edema and isolated aorta. Paw edema was induced by subcutaneous injection of lectins (0.01-1 mg/kg) in animals pre-treated or not with indomethacin or L-NAME. In isolated aorta, cumulative concentration curves of C. gladiata or C. brasiliensis (1-100 microg/ml) were performed at the contraction plateau induced by phenylephrine or at tissue basal tonus. The mechanism of the lectin relaxant action was investigated by previous addition of L-NAME, indomethacin, or tetraethylammonium. In both models, the lectin domain involvement was evaluated by incubation of lectins with their ligand and non-ligand sugars. The lectins induced paw edema paralleled by protein leakage. The edematogenic activity elicited by C. gladiata and C. brasiliensis involves prostaglandins and nitric oxide (NO), while that of C. maritima occurs without NO interference. C. gladiata and C. brasiliensis elicited aorta relaxation involving NO and prostacyclin, while that of C. gladiata included EDHF. All lectin effects were prevented by their binding sugars. The present study demonstrated important vasodilator effects of different degrees and mechanisms in vivo and in vitro of Canavalia lectins. In vivo, the edematogenic activity was paralleled by plasma exudation, and in vitro, aorta relaxation was strictly dependent on intact endothelium. All effects occurred via interaction with lectin domains and participation of NO and/or prostanoids.

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(2011) Invivo anti-inflammatory effect of a sulfated polysaccharide isolated from the marine brown algae Lobophoravariegata, Pharmaceutical Biology, 49:2, 167-174,