Glucomannan in prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation occurring in adjuvant arthritis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a biological response modifier, glucomannan (GM), isolated from Candida utilis, on the progress of adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats.

Methods: Adjuvant arthrithis was induced in Lewis rats by a single intradermal injection of Mycobacterium butyricum. GM was administered in two different doses of 5 and 7.

Yeast cell wall polysaccharides as antioxidants and antimutagens: can they fight cancer?

Polysaccharides represent the major part of the yeast cell wall dry weight and build the skeletal carcass defining cell wall stability and cell morphology (beta-D-glucans) or constitute amorphous matrix and cell surface fibrous material (mannans and mannoproteins). It is known that yeast cell wall beta-D-glucans reveal immunomodulating properties, which allows for their application in anti-infective and antitumor therapy. Recent data also suggest that polysaccharides reveal antioxidant activity that can result in their protective function as antioxidants, antimutagens, and antigenotoxic agents.