LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Arabinogalactan is a starch-like chemical that is found in many plants. It is found in highest concentrations in larch trees. Most of the larch arabinogalactan found in stores is produced from western larch or eastern larch trees. But larch arabinogalactan can also be produced by other larch tree species. Larch arabinogalactan is sometimes used for medicine.

Larch arabinogalactan is used for common cold, flu (influenza), ear infection (otitis media), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.

In foods, larch arabinogalactan is used as a stabilizer, binder, and sweetener.

How does it work ?

Larch arabinogalactan is a fiber that ferments in the intestine. It might increase intestinal bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, and have other effects that could be beneficial to digestive tract health. There is also information that suggests larch arabinogalactan might boost the immune system and help prevent cancer cells in the liver from growing.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Bayliss, C. E. and Houston, A. P. Characterization of plant polysaccharide- and mucin-fermenting anaerobic bacteria from human feces. Appl.Environ.Microbiol. 1984;48(3):626-632. View abstract.

Beuth, J., Ko, H. L., Oette, K., Pulverer, G., Roszkowski, K., and Uhlenbruck, G. Inhibition of liver metastasis in mice by blocking hepatocyte lectins with arabinogalactan infusions and D-galactose. J.Cancer Res.Clin.Oncol. 1987;113(1):51-55. View abstract.

Beuth, J., Ko, H. L., Schirrmacher, V., Uhlenbruck, G., and Pulverer, G. Inhibition of liver tumor cell colonization in two animal tumor models by lectin blocking with D-galactose or arabinogalactan. Clin.Exp.Metastasis 1988;6(2):115-120. View abstract.

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Nergard, C. S., Diallo, D., Michaelsen, T. E., Malterud, K. E., Kiyohara, H., Matsumoto, T., Yamada, H., and Paulsen, B. S. Isolation, partial characterisation and immunomodulating activities of polysaccharides from Vernonia kotschyana Sch. Bip. ex Walp. J.Ethnopharmacol. 2004;91(1):141-152. View abstract.

Nergard, C. S., Matsumoto, T., Inngjerdingen, M., Inngjerdingen, K., Hokputsa, S., Harding, S. E., Michaelsen, T. E., Diallo, D., Kiyohara, H., Paulsen, B. S., and Yamada, H. Structural and immunological studies of a pectin and a pectic arabinogalactan from Vernonia kotschyana Sch. Bip. ex Walp. (Asteraceae). Carbohydr.Res. 1-17-2005;340(1):115-130. View abstract.

Odonmazig, P., Ebringerova, A., Machova, E., and Alfoldi, J. Structural and molecular properties of the arabinogalactan isolated from Mongolian larchwood (Larix dahurica L.). Carbohydr.Res. 1-15-1994;252:317-324. View abstract.

Rampton, D. S., Cohen, S. L., Crammond, V. D., Gibbons, J., Lilburn, M. F., Rabet, J. Y., Vince, A. J., Wager, J. D., and Wrong, O. M. Treatment of chronic renal failure with dietary fiber. Clin.Nephrol. 1984;21(3):159-163. View abstract.

Salyers, A. A., Arthur, R., and Kuritza, A. Digestion of larch arabinogalactan by a strain of human colonic Bacteroides growing in continuous culture. J.Agric.Food Chem. 1981;29(3):475-480. View abstract.

Salyers, A. A., Vercellotti, J. R., West, S. E., and Wilkins, T. D. Fermentation of mucin and plant polysaccharides by strains of Bacteroides from the human colon. Appl.Environ.Microbiol. 1977;33(2):319-322. View abstract.

Schepetkin, I. A., Faulkner, C. L., Nelson-Overton, L. K., Wiley, J. A., and Quinn, M. T. Macrophage immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides isolated from Juniperus scopolorum. Int.Immunopharmacol. 2005;5(13-14):1783-1799. View abstract.

Thude, S., Classen, B., Blaschek, W., Barz, D., and Thude, H. Binding studies of an arabinogalactan-protein from Echinacea purpurea to leucocytes. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(6):425-427. View abstract.

Uhlenbruck, G., Beuth, J., Oette, K., Roszkowski, W., Ko, H. L., and Pulverer, G. Prevention of experimental liver metastases by arabinogalactan. Naturwissenschaften 1986;73(10):626-627. View abstract.

Vince, A. J., McNeil, N. I., Wager, J. D., and Wrong, O. M. The effect of lactulose, pectin, arabinogalactan and cellulose on the production of organic acids and metabolism of ammonia by intestinal bacteria in a faecal incubation system. Br.J.Nutr. 1990;63(1):17-26. View abstract.

Yamada, H., Kiyohara, H., Cyong, J. C., and Otsuka, Y. Structural characterisation of an anti-complementary arabinogalactan from the roots of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa. Carbohydr.Res. 2-1-1987;159(2):275-291. View abstract.

Yamamoto, S., Sakai, I., and Iseki, S. Purification, composition and immunochemical properties of arabinogalactan-protein H active glycopeptides from Euonymus sieboldiana seeds. Immunol.Commun. 1981;10(3):215-236. View abstract.

Anon. Best herb for fighting off colds. Bottom Line 1999;20:1.

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Grube B, Stier H, Riede L, Gruenwald J. Tolerability of a proprietary larch arabinogalactan extract: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in healthy subjects. Food Nutr Sci 2012;3:1533-8.

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Khvostov MV, Borisov SA, Tolstikova TG, et al. Supramolecular complex of ibuprofen with larch polysaccharide arabinogalactan: studies on bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2017 Jun;42(3):431-440. View abstract.

Kim LS, Burkholder PM, Waters RF. Effects of low-dose larch arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Complement Health Pract Rev 2002;7(2):221-9.

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Marett R, Slavin JL. No long-term benefits of supplementation with arabinogalactan on serum lipids and glucose. J Am Diet Assoc 2004;104:636-9. View abstract.

Riede L, Grube B, Gruenwald J. Larch arabinogalactan effects on reducing incidence of upper respiratory tract infections. Curr Med Res Opin 2013;29(3):251-8. View abstract.

Robinson RR, Feirtag J, Slavin JL. Effects of dietary arabinogalactan on gastrointestinal and blood parameters in healthy human subjects. J Am Coll Nutr 2001;20:279-85. View abstract.

Udani JK, Singh BB, Barrett ML, Singh VJ. Proprietary arabinogalactan extract increases antibody response to the pneumonia vaccine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study in healthy volunteers. Nutr J 2010;9:32. View abstract.

Udani JK. Immunomodulatory effects of ResistAid ™: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multidose study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2013;32(5):331-8. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN

Dosing

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