ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To separate and purify the anti-myocardial ischemic polysaccharide fraction with a homogenous molecular weight from Ophiopogon japonicus, then study the chemical structure of the parts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Crude polysaccharides were prepared by extracting the tube root fraction of Ophiopogon japonicus with water, then precipitation with ethanol. From the crude polysaccharides, the polysaccharide of MDG-1 was separated and purified using ultrafiltration, DEAE Sepharose FF and Sephadex G-25 column chromatography. Its structure was studied by complete hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analysis etc.</p><p><b>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION</b>MDG-1 was a water-soluble beta-D-fructosan, containing a backbone composed of Fruf (2 --> 1), and a branch of Fruf (2 --> 6) Fruf (2 --> per average 2. 8 of main chain residues. Mn, Mw and Mp of MDG-1 were 3 400, 4 800 and 5 000, respectively. MDG-1 contains trace of Glc, which maybe connect to its reducing terminal. Molar ratio of Fru and Glc is approximately 35: 1.</p>