Sulfated polysaccharide compound and the preparation and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sulfated polysaccharide compound and the preparation and use thereof, and in particular to a narrow distribution low molecular weight, highly sulfated pentosan (in this instance a xylan) referred to as glucuronoxylan sulfate (GXS). The invention has been developed primarily for use in the treatment of various clinical conditions. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted this particular field of use.

1 .- 118 . (canceled) 
     
     
         119 . A mixture comprising sulfated xylan molecules having an average molecular weight between about 1000 Da and about 6000 Da, wherein the weight of the sulfur that is present in the molecules is at least 17% based on the molecular weight of the sodium salt of the molecules. 
     
     
         120 . The mixture of  claim 119 , wherein the weight of the sulfur that is present in the molecules is greater than about 18% based on the molecular weight of the sodium salt of the molecules. 
     
     
         121 . The mixture of  claim 119 , wherein the weight of the sulfur that is present in the molecules is between about 17.1% and 18.5% based on the molecular weight of the sodium salt of the molecules. 
     
     
         122 . The mixture of  claim 119 , wherein the weight of the sulfur that is present in the molecules is between about 18.2% and 18.5% based on the molecular weight of the sodium salt of the molecules. 
     
     
         123 . The mixture of  claim 119 , wherein the molecules comprise one or more linear 1-4 conjugated beta-D-xylose units and at least one 4-O-methyl-beta-D-glucuronic acid attached to carbon-2 of every about eight to ten xylose units. 
     
     
         124 . The mixture of  claim 123 , wherein the sulfated xylan molecules have an average molecular weight between about 1000 Da and about 5000 Da. 
     
     
         125 . The mixture of  claim 124 , wherein the sulfated xylan molecules have an average molecular weight weights between about 1000 Da and about 4000 Da. 
     
     
         126 . The mixture of  claim 119 , wherein the sulfated xylan molecules have a mode molecular weight between about 1500 Da and about 3000 Da. 
     
     
         127 . The mixture of  claim 119 , wherein the sulfated xylan molecules are present in salt form. 
     
     
         128 . The mixture of  claim 127 , wherein the salt is a sodium salt. 
     
     
         129 . The mixture of  claim 119 , wherein the molecules are sulfated glucuronoxylan molecules. 
     
     
         130 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising sulfated xylan molecules according to  claim 119 . 
     
     
         131 . A method for the treatment of arthritis, human immunodeficiency virus, interstitial cystitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Reiter's syndrome, haematomas, haemorrhoids, frost bite or burns, in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administration to the subject of a therapeutically effective amount of a mixture of sulfated xylan molecules according to  claim 119 . 
     
     
         132 . A method for the treatment of osteoarthritis in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administration to the subject of a therapeutically effective amount of a mixture of sulfated xylan molecules according to  claim 119 . 
     
     
         133 . A sulfated glycan (sulfate ester) molecule having:
 (a) one or more linear 1-4 conjugated beta-D-xylose units; and   (b) at least one 4-O-methyl-β-D-glucuronic acid unit attached to carbon-2 of every about eight to ten (on average) said xylose units.   
     
     
         134 . The sulfated glycan (sulfate ester) molecule of  claim 133 , wherein said molecule includes one said glucuronic acid unit on a left terminal xylose unit and at least one said glucuronic acid unit:
 (a) on a mid-chain xylose unit;   (b) on a right terminal xylose unit; or   (c) any combination of the above.   
     
     
         135 . A method for the production of a mixture comprising sulfated glycan molecules wherein said molecules comprise:
 (a) one or more linear 1-4 conjugated beta-D-xylose units; and   (b) at least one 4-O-methyl-β-D-glucuronic acid unit attached to carbon-2 of every about eight to ten (on average) said xylose units.   
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein said sulfated glycan molecules are Fully Sulfated. 
     
     
         137 . A method for fractionation of sulfated glycan (sulfate ester) molecules derived from xylan using an organic solvent. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 137 , wherein said method of fractionation is performed in an alkaline solution.