ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCED BY SERRATIA PISCATORUM

Abstract

Crude preparations of protease and culture filtrate of Serratia piscatorum IFO 12527 contained a heat-resistant, large molecular and non-proteinous anti-inflammatory ingredient(s) (PLS). The active ingredient was precipitated with Rivanol or Cetavlon, and purified by extraction with n-butanol or by adsorption with Lloyd’s reagent. From these and other chemical data, PLS is considered to be an acid polysaccharide. PLS injected i.m. inhibited the edema induced by carrageenin and anti-serum in rat feet. The effect on carrageenin edema was 37 times as potent as that of indomethacin and 200 times that of hydrocortisone acetate. These anti-edema effects were not observed by oral administration. PLS, i.m., inhibited cotton pellet granuloma more markedly than hydrocortisone acetate, without decreasing the weight of the adrenals and thymus. It had weak activating effect on kinin-forming systems in the rat plasma in vitro. Additional pharmacological properties of PLS are also described.