Rolando L. Maddela
Senior Director of Clinical Research and Scientific Affairs, Mannatech Incorporated, USA
Title: Arabinogalactan and other polysaccharides in health
Biography
Biography: Rolando L. Maddela
Abstract
Exogenous polysaccharides play many roles in various biological processes including health promotion by enhancing immune function. For example polysaccharide products derived from the larch tree (Larix spp.), brown algae (Undaria pinnatifida) and Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill) have been studied alone or in combination for immune function enhancement. Since these polysaccharides are generally considered innocuous, health care providers are very interested in their efficacy and safety following oral intake. The recent clinical studies, although still few compared to in vitro and animal studies, have so far demonstrated that oral intake of arabinogalactans, fucoidans and mannans can modulate immune response in humans. Furthermore, these polysaccharides are well tolerated. Although there is increasing awareness of oral polysaccharides’ multiple roles in health including their immunomodulatory actions, further research is warranted to help understand the spectrum of other health effects and to help explain the mechanisms underlying some of the observed health benefits.