<b>Extraction and structural properties of <i>Acanthophora muscoides </i>(Rhodophyceae) extracellular matrix sulfated polysaccharides and their effects on coagulation

Resumo

Acanthophora muscoides (Rhodophyta) contains structurally heterogeneous sulfated polysaccharides (Am-SPs) with pharmacological importance; however, its matrix SPs composition has not been still extensively investigated. This study sequentially extracted and compared the structural features and the in vitro anticoagulant effects of the Am-SPs. Papain-extraction sequence yielded Am.E-1, Am.E-2 and Am.E-3 containing differences among the relative proportions of sulfate (26.18-33%) and hexoses (42.02-60.67%) based on chemical analyses. One- (¹H) and two-dimensions (¹H/¹³C) nuclear magnetic resonance experiments showed very complex Am-SPs composed of alternating 4-linked-α-galactopyranosyl units and 3-linked-β-galactopyranosyl units presenting variable sulfation, CH₃ substitutions and3,6-anhydro-α-L-galactose units and pyruvated-D-galactose residues, respectively, typical of agarocolloids. Different chromatographic profiles (DEAE-cellulose) were observed, with fractions (Am I, Am II and Am III eluted with 0.5, 0.75 and/or 1 M of NaCl, respectively) revealing charge density patterns and distinct mobility to heparin by agarose-electrophoresis and, when analyzed by polyacrylamide-electrophoresis, a dispersive migration and similar mobility as chondroitin-6-sulfate for Am I fractions were noted. Regarding the activated partial thromboplastin time test, fractions had no virtually anticoagulation (1.47→3.07 IU mg^-1) in comparison with 193 IU mg^-1 heparin. Therefore, Am-SPs show significantly lower anticoagulation than heparin.