[Water-soluble polysaccharide from Heliantnus tuberosus L.: radioprotective, colony-stimulation and immunomodulation activities].

Experimental data on the presence of immunomodulatory activity, colony-stimulation and radioprotective properties of the polysaccharide from Heliantnus tuberosus L. with the molecular weight of 1-2 MDa, were obtained. The effect of different concentrations of the polysaccharide on production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 was studied. The nature of radioprotective properties of the polysaccharide is discussed: stimulation of growth of colonies of hematopoietic stem cells, direct interaction with the products of ionizing radiation, and stimulation of cytokine cascades. The possibility of further usage and studying of the polysaccharide is discussed.