Proteomics analysis of chicken peripheral blood lymphocyte in Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide regulation

The natural polysaccharides extracted from the pollen of Pinus massoniana (TPPPS) have been shown to be a promising immune adjuvant against several viral chicken diseases. However, the exact mechanism through which TPPPS enhances the host immune response in chicken remains poorly understood. In the current study, chicken peripheral blood lymphocytes were treated with varying concentrations of TPPPS and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, iIL-2 and IL-6 were measured to determine the optimal dose of the polysaccharide. A comparative analysis was subsequently performed between the proteome of lymphocytes subjected to the best treatment conditions and that of untreated cells. Protein identification and quantitation revealed a panel of three up-regulated and seven down-regulated candidates in TPPPS-treated chicken peripheral blood lymphocytes. Further annotation and functional analysis suggested that a number of those protein candidates were involved in the regulation of host innate immune response, inflammation and other immune-related pathways. We believe that our results could serve as a stepping stone for further research on the immune-enhancing properties of TPPPS and other polysaccharide-based immune adjuvants.

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate from Isostichopus badionotus alleviates metabolic syndromes and gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by high-fat and high-fructose diet

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate from Isostichopus badionotus (fCS-Ib) is a kind of sulfated polysaccharides with well-repeated structure. In our former publications, fCS-Ib has been reported to be a functional food ingredient with hypoglycemic and antilipemic activities. However, there is no systematic study to investigate the effects of fCS-Ib on metabolic syndromes. In the present study, C57BL/6 mice fed on a high-fat and high sucrose diet (HFSD) for 6 weeks was used to cause metabolic syndromes. The final results showed that fCS-Ib alleviated obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, inflammation, liver steatosis, and adipocyte hypertrophy caused by HFSD. Meanwhile, fCS-Ib showed powerful effects on moderating gut microbiota dysbiosis in the HFSD-fed mice. Supplement of fCS-Ib could reduce ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes by decreasing abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Allobaculum while increasing abundance of Porphyromonadaceae, Barnesiella, and Bacteroides. Our results showed that fCS-Ib could be further developed as a potential pharmaceutical agent to prevent metabolic syndromes and gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Lentinan inhibits tumor angiogenesis via interferon γ and in a T cell independent manner

Background

Antiangiogenic agents are commonly used in lung and colon cancer treatments, however, rapid development of drug resistance limits their efficacy.

Methods

Lentinan (LNT) is a biologically active compound extracted from Lentinus edodes. The effects of LNT on tumor angiogenesis were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in murine LAP0297 lung and CT26 colorectal tumor models. The impacts of LNT on immune cells and gene expression in tumor tissues were determined by flow cytometry, qPCR, and ELISA. Nude mice and IFNγ blockade were used to investigate the mechanism of LNT affecting on tumor angiogenesis. The data sets were compared using two-tailed student’s t tests or ANOVA.

Results

We found that LNT inhibited tumor angiogenesis and the growth of lung and colon cancers. LNT treatments elevated the expression of angiostatic factors such as IFNγ and also increased tumor infiltration of IFNγ-expressing T cells and myeloid cells. Interestingly, IFNγ blockade, but not T cell deficiency, reversed the effects of LNT treatments on tumor blood vessels. Moreover, long-lasting LNT administration persistently suppressed tumor angiogenesis and inhibited tumor growth.

Conclusions

LNT inhibits tumor angiogenesis by increasing IFNγ production and in a T cell-independent manner. Our findings suggest that LNT could be developed as a new antiangiogenic agent for long-term treatment of lung and colon cancers.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0932-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Isolation, Structures, and Bioactivities of the Polysaccharides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino: A Review

Polysaccharides obtained from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino have promising prospects in functional food and nutraceuticals due to its broad range of biological activities including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and antifatigue activities. These beneficial biological activities are related to chemical composition and structure of the G. pentaphyllum polysaccharides. The molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and chemical structures could be influenced by both different extraction/purification techniques employed to obtain polysaccharide enriched products. The purpose of this article is to review previous and current literature regarding the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activity of G. pentaphyllum polysaccharides. This review provides a useful bibliography for the further investigation, production, and application of G. pentaphyllum polysaccharides as functional foods and nutraceuticals.

A sensitive and rapid radiolabelling method for the in vivo pharmacokinetic study of lentinan

The aim of this study is to establish a rapid and sensitive method for detecting lentinan (LNT) in biosamples and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of LNT in mice and rats. A diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) derivative of LNT (DTPA-LNT) was synthesized first to allow labelling with 99m-technetium (99mTc). After purification and identification, 99mTc-DTPA-LNT was intravenously administered to mice (2 mg kg-1) and rats at different doses (0.5, 2 and 8 mg kg-1). The results showed that the 99mTc-labelling method was suitable for the quantification of the LNT concentration in biological samples, with satisfactory linearity (r2 > 0.998), precision (<7%), accuracy (95.01-104.51%) and total recovery (∼90%). The blood concentration-time profiles of 99mTc-DTPA-LNT were consistent with the two-compartment model and showed a rapid distribution phase and a slow elimination, and no significant difference in the blood level of LNT was found among the tested doses (0.5, 2 and 8 mg kg-1). LNT was predominantly incorporated into the liver and spleen, and there was a small amount of aggregation in the bile, kidneys, lungs and stomach. Approximately 40% of the administered radioactivity was detected in urine and faeces within 24 h post-dosing. In addition, SPECT imaging of 99mTc-DTPA-LNT was performed to visually reveal the pharmacokinetic characteristics of LNT. These findings provide a reference for further study and for use of LNT and other β-glucans.

Anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of low molecular weight bioactive subfractions isolated from cultures of wood degrading fungus Cerrena unicolor

The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro the anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of three low molecular weight subfractions I, II and III isolated from secondary metabolites produced by the wood degrading fungus Cerrena unicolor. The present study demonstrated that the low molecular weight subfractions III exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity towards breast carcinoma cells MDA-MB-231, prostatic carcinoma cells PC3, and breast cancer cells MCF7 with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 52,25 μg/mL, 60,66 μg/mL, and 54,92 μg/mL, respectively. The highest percentage of inhibition was noted at a concentration of 300 μg/mL in all the examined tumor lines. A significant percentage (59.08%) of ex-LMSIII inhibition of the MDA-MB-231 tumor line was reached at a concentration of 15 μg/ml, while the concentration applied did not affect normal human fibroblast cells. The low molecular weight subfraction III was the most effective and additionally showed the highest free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 20.39 μg/mL) followed by the low molecular weight subfraction I (IC₅₀ 64.14 μg/mL) and II (IC₅₀ 49.22 μg/mL). The antibacterial activity of the tested preparations was evaluated against three microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The MIC minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the low molecular weight subfraction I, II, and III showed a stronger inhibition effect on S. aureus than on B. subtilis and E. coli cells. The MIC values for the low molecular weight subfraction II against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. coli were 6.25, 12.5, and 100 mg/mL, respectively.

Preparation of Bioactive Polysaccharide Nanoparticles with Enhanced Radical Scavenging Activity and Antimicrobial Activity

Because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability in vivo, natural polysaccharides are effective nanocarriers for delivery of active ingredients or drugs. Moreover, bioactive polysaccharides, such as tea, Ganoderma lucidum, and Momordica charantia polysaccharides (TP, GLP, and MCP), have antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, and antiviral properties. In this study, tea, Ganoderma lucidum, and Momordica charantia polysaccharide nanoparticles (TP-NPs, GLP-NPs, and MCP-NPs) were prepared via the nanoprecipitation approach. When the ethanol to water ratio was 10:1, the diameter of the spherical polysaccharide nanoparticles was the smallest, and the mean particle size of the TP-NPs, GLP-NPs, and MCP-NPs was 99 ± 15, 95 ± 7, and 141 ± 9 nm, respectively. When exposed to heat, increased ionic strength and pH levels, the nanoparticles exhibited superior stability and higher activity than the corresponding polysaccharides. In physiological conditions (pH 7.4), the nanoparticles underwent different protein adsorption capacities in the following order: MCP-NPs> TP-NPs> GLP-NPs. Moreover, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion radical scavenging rates of the nanoparticles were increased by 9-25% as compared to the corresponding polysaccharides. Compared to the bioactive polysaccharides, the nanoparticles enhanced antimicrobial efficacy markedly and exhibited long-acting antibacterial activity.

Dose matters: Direct killing or immunoregulatory effects of natural polysaccharides in cancer treatment

Polysaccharides from natural resources possess anti-tumor activities for decades, but the efficacy of polysaccharides as the adjuvant drugs for cancer treatment at prescribed doses remains open for debate. In this review, molecular mechanisms involved in direct killing effects of polysaccharides, including apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and mitochondria/DNA damage were described. However, the concentrations/doses used to reach the direct killing effects are too high to be applicable. Polysaccharides can also exert anti-tumor effects through immunoregulation at lower doses, and the effects of polysaccharides on natural killer cells, dendritic cells and other lymphocytes for tumor destruction, along with the receptor recognition and downstream signaling pathways, were delineated. Unfortunately, the prescribed doses of polysaccharides are too low to stimulate immunoresponse, resulting in the failure of some clinical trials. Therefore, understanding the sophisticated mechanisms of the immunoregulatory function of natural polysaccharides with refined doses for clinical use will help the standardization of traditional medicine.

Optimized microwave extraction, characterization and antioxidant capacity of biological polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf

Microwave-induced technique was combined with response surface methodology for optimizing the isolation of polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf. The maximum polysaccharides yield of 12.31% was achieved by microwave extraction at 74 °C for 15 min with a solid to liquid ratio of 1:29 g/mL, which agreed with the predicted value and was 2.9-fold higher than that of the conventional heat-reflux extraction method. The dominant bioactive constituent in extracts was chlorogenic acid (1.3-1.9%), followed by geniposidic acid (1.0-1.7%). The polysaccharides from the optimized extraction had a high molecular weight and polydispersity (Mw 38,830 g/mol, Mw/Mn 2.19), as compared to the fraction prepared in the absence of microwave (Mw 12,055 g/mol, Mw/Mn 1.26). Glucose was the dominant sugar component (38.2-39.1%) of heterogeneous polysaccharides which belonged to a structure of β-type acidic heteropolysaccharides with a glucan group and highly branched degree. The polysaccharides showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging index (0.87-1.22) than BHT (0.41) but lower than BHA (3.56), which can act as a favorable antioxidant in functional food.

A polysaccharide fraction extracted from Pleurotus ostreatus mycelial biomass inhibit Sarcoma 180 tumor

Fungi of Pleurotus genus have attracted a great interest due to their medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumor. These properties are attributed mainly to polysaccharides synthesized by Pleurotus. This work aimed to study the mycelial growth of P. ostreatus in submerged culture, evaluating the influence of the initial concentration of substrate (20 and 40 g/L of glucose) and the pH (4 and 6) on kinetic parameters of production of biomass. The effectiveness of different doses (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg) of a mycelium polysaccharide fraction extracted from P. ostreatus in reducing Sarcoma 180 development in mice was also verified. In the range of this study, maximum concentration of mycelial biomass (about 12.8 g/L) was obtained using 40.0 g/L of glucose, at pH 4.0. The total biomass productivity (Px) was not significantly affected by substrate concentration and pH, reaching values of 0.034 g/L.h. Sarcoma 180 tumor weight was reduced in 74.1, 75.5 and 53.7% when 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg were administered, respectively. These results show the high antitumor potential of intracellular polysaccharide fraction of mycelial biomass of P. ostreatus, particularly at lower doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg.

A novel polysaccharide from the Sarcodon aspratus triggers apoptosis in Hela cells via induction of mitochondrial dysfunction

Background

Polysaccharides extracted from fungus that have been used widely in the food and drugs industries due to biological activities.

Objective

The objective of the present study was to investigate the tumor-suppressive activity and mechanism of a novel polysaccharide (SAP) extracted from Sarcodon aspratus.

Methods

The SAP was extracted and purified using Sepharose CL-4B gel from S. aspratus. The cytotoxicity of SAP on cell lines was determined by MTT method. Cellular migration assays were implemented by using transwell plates. The apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) of Hela cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The western blot was used to determine the protein expression of Hela cells.

Results

The results showed that SAP with a molecular weight of 9.01×10⁵ Da could significantly inhibit the growth of Hela cells in vitro. Three-dimensional cell culture (3D) and transwell assays showed that SAP restrained the multi-cellular spheroids growth and cell migration. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SAP induced a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Western blot assays indicated that SAP promoted the release of cytochrome c, increased Bax expression, down-regulated of Bcl-2 expression and activated of caspase-3 expression.

Conclusion

This study suggested that SAP induced Hela cells apoptosis via mitochondrial dysfunction that are critical in events of caspase apoptotic pathways. The anti-tumor (Hela cells) activity of SAP recommended that S. aspratus could be used as a powerful medicinal mushroom against cancer.

The investigation of immunomodulatory activities of Gloeostereum incaratum polysaccharides in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression mice

Gloeostereum incarnatum, a precious edible mushroom, displays anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities; however, its immunomodulatory effect has not been studied yet. The present study aimed to investigate whether polysaccharide compositions of G. incarnatum polysaccharides (GIPS) possess immunomodulatory and immuno-enhancing effects in a Cyclophosphamide monohydrate (CTX)-induced BALB/c mice model. The 28-day GIPS administration at doses of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.9 g/kg remarkably reversed the bodyweight loss, increased the thymic index and promoted T lymphocyte proliferation in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. GIPS significantly raised the serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG, promoted the production of interleukins (ILs), including IL-2, IL-3 and IL-6, interferons, including interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-γ, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 in the spleen, which resulted in accelerating recovery of immunosuppression. Finally, GIPS showed anti-oxidative effects indicated by the increased superoxide dismutase levels in the serum and spleen, and the reduced level of reactive oxygen species in the spleen. The results of the current study demonstrated that GIPS positively adjusts the immune system, which may serve as a potential immunostimulatory agent.

Components in Lentinus edodes mushroom with anti-biofilm activity directed against bacteria involved in caries and gingivitis

The present study investigated the compounds present in the low molecular mass fraction of Lentinus edodes mushroom (shiitake) extract and their anti-virulence activity against oral pathogens.

Biological activities and pharmaceutical applications of polysaccharide from natural resources: A review

Pharmacotherapy using natural substances can be currently regarded as a very promising future alternative to conventional therapy. As biological macromolecules, polysaccharide together with protein and polynucleotide, are extremely important biomacromoleules which play important roles in the growth and development of living organism. Polysaccharide is important component of higher plants, membrane of the animal cell and the cell wall of microbes. It is also closely related to the physiological functions. Recently, increasing attention has been paid on polysaccharides as an important class of bioactive natural products. Numerous researches have demonstrated the bioactivities of natural polysaccharides, which lead to the application of polysaccharides in the treatment of disease. In this paper, the various aspects of the investigation results of the bioactivities of polysaccharides were summarized, including its diversity pharmacological applications, such as immunoregulatory, anti-tumor, anti-virus, antioxidation, and hypoglycemic activity, and their application of polysaccharides in the treatment of disease are also discussed. We hope this review can offer some theoretical basis and inspiration for the mechanism study of the bioactivity of polysaccharides.

The derivatization and antitumor mechanisms of polysaccharides

At present, the polysaccharide antitumor research is focused on how to further improve the antitumor activity of polysaccharides. The structural modification of polysaccharides can enhance their antitumor activity to a certain extent. The antitumor mechanisms of polysaccharide derivatives mainly contain the inducing apoptosis of tumor cells, effecting on the cycle of tumor cells, enhancing the antioxidant activity of organism, activating the body's immune response and inhibiting the tumor angiogenesis. Herein, the common methods of polysaccharide modification, such as sulfation, carboxymethylation, phosphorylation and acetylation, were summarized. At the same time, the effects of chemical modification of polysaccharides on their antitumor mechanisms and activity were analyzed and discussed.

A comparison study on polysaccharides extracted from Laminaria japonica using different methods: structural characterization and bile acid-binding capacity

In this study, the structural characterization and bile acid-binding capacity of Laminaria japonica polysaccharides (LP), obtained by seven different extraction methods, were investigated. The results indicated that extraction methods exhibited significant effects on extraction yield, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition and the content of neutral sugar, fucose, uronic acid and sulfate of LP. AFM analysis indicated that LP extracted by different methods exhibited certain different, flexible and worm-like chains with many branches. Rheological measurements showed that the LP, obtained by pressurized hot water extraction and acid assisted extraction, exhibited lower viscosity due to their lower molecular weight, compared to other extracted polysaccharides. The bile acid-binding capacity of acid assisted extracted LP was significantly higher than other LP samples tested, which was probably ascribed to its highly branched structure, low molecular weight, low viscosity and abundant uronic acid and fucose in total monosaccharides. The present study provides scientific evidence and advances in the preparation technology and a method for evaluating hypolipidemic activities of L. japonica polysaccharides.

Lentinan dose dependence between immunoprophylaxis and promotion of the murine liver cancer

Lentinan could exhibit significant biological activity favorable for human health and disease control such as the recovery of patients with liver cancer. In order to investigate the effect of lentinan dose dependence between immunoprophylaxis and promotion of cancer cell proliferation of the murine liver cancer, different concentrations of lentinan were prepared for the test in vitro (MTT assay) and in vivo (cumulative survival assay, spleen lymphocyte proliferation tests and peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis assays). New emerging proteins of the H22 cell incubated with lentinan was demonstrated by MS analysis and protein database searching. Lentinan was non-toxic for HL7702 cells but inhibited H22 cells proliferation obviously in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, the proliferation of H22 hepatocarcinoma cells was inhibited by lentinan 0.4mg/kg body weight (L2, survival rate, 20%, PPP<0.01). Six proteins 60Sacidic ribosomal protein P2, Peroxiredoxin-2, Annexin A5, PDZ and LIM domain protein 1, Src substrate cortactin and Moesin were found as emerging proteins of the H22 cell incubated with high dose lentinan which related to cancer promotion closely. In conclusion, Thelentinan was relatively safe and could inhibit the proliferation of H22 cancer cells through immunity improvement when it's intake was in proper quantity.

Polysaccharide from wheat bran induces cytokine expression via the toll-like receptor 4-mediated p38 MAPK signaling pathway and prevents cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice

Wheat bran-derived polysaccharides have attracted particular attention due to their immunomodulatory effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their functions are poorly understood. The current study was designed to examine the effect of wheat bran polysaccharide (WBP) on RAW 264.7 cells and the underlying signaling pathways, which have not been explored. In addition, we also investigated the immuno-enhancement effects of WBP on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression in mice. WBP significantly increased the concentrations of intracellular nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such as prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW 264.7 cells. The result of RT-PCR analysis indicated that WBP also enhanced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and TNF-α expression. Further analyses demonstrated that WBP rapidly activated phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the transcriptional activities of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Furthermore, in vivo experiments revealed that WBP increased the spleen and thymus indices significantly, and markedly promoted the production of the serum cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. Taken together, these results suggest that WBP can improve immunity by enhancing immune function, and could be explored as a potential immunomodulatory agent in functional food.