Water-extracted polysaccharides from Azadirachta indica leaves: Structural features, chemical modification and anti-bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) activity

Abstract In this study, we have analyzed the pectic arabinogalactan isolated from Azadirachta indica and its chemically sulfated derivative. The native polysaccharide had an apparent molecular mass of 80 kDa and is made up of (1 → 5)-/(1 → 3,5)-linked α- l -arabinosyl, (1 → 3)-/(1 → 6)-/(1 → 3,6)-linked β- d -galactosyl, and terminal-rhamnosyl and α- l- arabinosyl residues. These macromolecules showed activity against bovine herpesvirus type-1. Their inhibitory concentration 50% values ranging from 31.12 to 105.25 μg/ml were lower than the cytotoxicity values (>1600–1440 μg/ml). The anti-viral effect was exerted during virus adsorption to the cell. Anionic groups in particular the sulfate groups appeared to be very important for the anti-herpetic activity of these polymers.