The invention relates to the preparation of new polysaccharide derivatives comprising a double bond in the positions 4 and 5 of the pyranose cycle. The method of preparation consists in the oxidation of OH group in the position 6 to an aldehyde, followed by the elimination to form a double -C=C- bond in the positions 4 and 5, and the final reduction of the aldehyde group in the position 6 into the original alcohol. The derivatives of polysaccharides prepared according to the invention show an enhanced antioxidant activity and some of them also a selective negative influence on carcinoma cell viability. (formula) where R represents -NH-CO-CH3 or -OH.
