The controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of glycyrrhizan UA, the main phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis FISCHER, was performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating, anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of glycyrrhizan UA and its degradation products were investigated. Methylation analyses of primary, secondary and tertiary Smith degradation products and of the limited hydrolysis product indicated that the core structural features of glycyrrhizan UA include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose. All of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of mainly alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-1,6- or 1,3-linked D-galactose residues at position 6. Removal of the arabinosyl side chains caused a pronounced decrease in immunological activity.