Fucomannogalactan and glucan from mushroom Amanita muscaria: Structure and inflammatory pain inhibition

A fucomannogalactan (FMG-Am) and a (1 -> 3), (1 -> 6)-linked beta-D-glucan (beta GLC-Am) were isolated from Amanita muscaria fruiting bodies. These compounds' structures were determined using mono- and bi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and controlled Smith degradation. FMG-Am was shown to be a heterogalactan formed by a (1 -> 6)-linked alpha-D-galactopyranosyl main chain partially substituted at O-2 mainly by alpha-L-fucopyranose and a minor proportion of beta-D-mannopyranose non-reducing end units. beta GLC-Am was identified as a (1 -> 3)-linked beta-D-glucan partially substituted at O-6 by mono- and a few oligosaccharide side chains, which was confirmed after controlled Smith degradation. Both the homo- and heteropolysaccharide were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential, and they produced potent inhibition of inflammatory pain, specifically, 91 +/- 8% (30 mg kg(-1)) and 88 +/- 7% (10 mg kg(-1)), respectively. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.