Monosaccaridi

UDP-b-L-arabinopyranose is a nucleotide sugar that is used in the synthesis of proteins and other macromolecules. It is synthesized from uridine and d-ribulose 5-phosphate by the enzyme ribulokinase. The reaction between UDP, b-L-arabinofuranose, and ATP, catalyzed by arabinofuranosyl transferase, produces UDP-b-L-arabinopyranose. This nucleotide sugar can be converted to UDP-b-(1→4)-glucuronate by the enzyme glucuronosyltransferase. This process plays an important role in plant physiology as well as in cell wall biosynthesis. The optimal pH for this conversion is 7.5 to 8.2.

The polysaccharide Lentinan is isolated from the mushroom L. edodes (shitake mushroom). The primary structure is a β-(1–3)-glucose backbone with two (1–6)-β-glucose branches for each five glucose resiodues. Lentinan is clinically used for cancer treatment both in China and Japan. According to the clinical studies published in and outside of China, lentinan-based drugs are used for the treatment of various cancers, including lung, gastric, colorectal and other cancers. In addition, lentinan-based drugs are also used for treating HIV, hepatitis and malignant pleural effusion.

Component of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls. Peptidoglycan is a mesh-like polymer, made of a glycan backbone containing alternating subunits of N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and N‐acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc). An enzyme substrate that is used to characterize and differentiate MurNAc and GlcNAc kinases.

Bearberry has been used for centuries to treat various disorders of the urinary tract and prostate. The active ingredient in bearberry is a flavonol glycoside called arbutin, which is converted to hydroquinone during metabolism. As an antioxidant, hydroquinone inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Hydroquinone has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in rat liver microsomes and tissue culture, inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis by blocking cyclooxygenase activity. In vitro, bearberry extracts have been shown to inhibit bacterial growth on agar plates with pH levels from 4-7 and at concentrations between 0.1-1%. It was found that bearberry extracts were most effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, with MIC values ranging from 2-4 mg/mL. Bearberry extract was observed to be more effective than ampicillin against these strains in a chromatographic assay.

1,3,5-Tri-O-benzoyl-a-D-ribofuranose is a modified carbohydrate. It is synthesized by the methylation of 1,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-a-D-arabinopyranose followed by glycosylation with 3,6-dideoxyhexose. This compound has been used as a substrate in enzymatic studies to investigate the modification of carbohydrates by glycosylation and methylation and can be used for the synthesis of other saccharides.