Galactolipid

[1] They are the main part of plant membrane lipids where they substitute phospholipids to conserve phosphate for other essential processes.

[2] Galactolipids are more bioavailable than free fatty acids, and have been shown to exhibit COX mediated anti-inflammatory activity.

[3] Bio-guided fractionation of spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea) revealed alpha-linolenic acid galactolipids (18:3, n-3) were responsible for inhibitory effects on tumor promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation.

[4] Recently, it has been demonstrated that this same galactolipid, 1,2-di-O-α-linolenoyl-3-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol,[5] may be important for the anti-inflammatory activity of Dog Rose (Rosa canina), a medicinal plant with documented effect on inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

The galactosphingolipid galactocerebroside (GalC) and its sulfated derivative sulfatide is also in abundance present (together with a small group of proteins) in myelin, the membrane around the axons in the nervous system of vertebrates.