Pulsed electric field extraction enhanced anti-coagulant effect of fungal polysaccharide from Jew's ear (Auricularia auricula)

Enantiomeric separation of thiourea derivatives of naringenin on amylose and cellulose polymeric chromatographic chiral columns

Due to a great demand for amylose and cellulose polymeric chromatographic chiral columns, the enantiomeric separation of thiourea derivatives of naringenin was achieved on the different amylose (Chiralpak-IB) and cellulose chiral (Chiralcel-OJ and Chiralcel-OD-3R) columns with varied chromatographic conditions. The isocratic mobile phases used were ethanol and methanol, where ethanol/hexane and methanol/hexane were used as gradient mode and were prepared in volume/volume relation. The separation and resolution factors for all the enantiomers were in the range of 1.25 to 3.47 and 0.48 to 1.75, respectively. The enantiomeric resolution was obtained within 12 min making fast separation. The docking studies confirmed the chiral recognition mechanisms with binding affinities in the range of -4.7 to -5.7 kcal/mol. The reported compounds have good anticoagulant activities and may be used as anticoagulants in the future. Besides, chiral separation is fast and is useful for enantiomeric separation in any laboratory in the world.

Complete composition analysis of polysaccharides based on HPAEC-PAD coupled with quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker

INTRODUCTION

Monosaccharide compositions analysis (MCA) is indispensable for structural characterisations and structure-activity relationships of plant polysaccharides.

OBJECTIVES

To develop a concise and direct MCA method, we established a quantitative analysis of the multi-monosaccharaides by single marker (QAMS) by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed-amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) method.

METHODOLOGY

A stable and reproducible HPAEC-PAD method for simultaneous determination of aldoses, ketoses and uronic acids (i.e., l-arabinose, d-xylose, d-ribose, l-rhamnose, d-fucose, d-mannose, d-glucose, d-galactose, d-fructose, d-glucuronic acid and d-galacturonic acid) was established by systematic optimisation of stationary phases, column temperatures and elution programmes. On this basis, the QAMS method was proposed through comprehensive investigations of relative correction factor (RCF) variations under different influencing factors, for example, sample concentrations, flow rates, and column temperatures.

RESULTS

Using rhamnose as an internal reference standard, the contents of the other monosaccharide components in polysaccharides from Panax quinquefolium L. and Achyranthes bidentata Bl. samples were simultaneously determined by QAMS, and there was no significant difference between the results from the QAMS and external standard method (t test, P > 0.520). In addition, a MCA fingerprinting of 30 batches of P. quinquefolium polysaccharide was established by HPAEC-PAD, and six common peaks were assigned and determined.

CONCLUSIONS

The established HPAEC-PAD-QAMS method was successfully applied to the MCA of polysaccharides from P. quinquefolium and A. bidentata after optimisation of hydrolysis conditions. HPAEC-PAD-QAMS was proposed and established for MCA of plant polysaccharides for the first time.

Preparation of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides and their protective effect on acute oxidative stress injury of Caenorhabditis elegans

This research enhanced the extraction procedure for Auricularia auricula crude polysaccharides by utilizing a modified Fenton reagent as a solvent, and obtained A. auricula polysaccharides (AAPs-VH) via alcohol precipitation and deproteinization. The HPLC profile revealed that the purified AAPs-VH using Sepharose 6FF was mainly a heteropolysaccharide, consisting primarily of mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose, and xylose. The Mw and Mn of the purified AAPs-VH were 87.646 kDa and 48.854 kDa, respectively. The FT-IR and NMR spectra revealed that the purified AAPs-VH belonged to pyranose and were mainly formed by (1 → 3)-linked-β-D glucan formation. In vivo experiments conducted with Caenorhabditis elegans, AAPs-VH was found to notably influence the lifespan, improve the antioxidant system, and decrease the level of cell apoptosis. This might be achieved by up-regulating the expression of genes in the IIS and TOR pathways. The study concludes that the modified Fenton reagent can increase Auricularia auricula polysaccharide solubleness and active sites, which may be an essential prompt for future studies.

Characterization and biological activities of polysaccharides extracted from Auricularia auricula with different extraction methods

Polysaccharides derived from Auricularia auricula exhibit diverse biological activities and hold significant potential for commercial utilization as functional food ingredients. In this investigation, polysaccharides from A. auricula were obtained using six extraction techniques (ammonium oxalate solution extraction, sodium hydroxide solution extraction, hot water extraction, pectinase and cellulase-assisted extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction). Subsequently, a comprehensive comparison was conducted to evaluate their physicochemical properties and biological functionalities. The ammonium oxalate solution extraction method yielded a higher extraction rate (11.76%) and polysaccharide content (84.12%), as well as a higher uronic acid content (10.13%). Although the six Auricularia polysaccharides had different molecular weight distributions, monosaccharide molar ratios, similar monosaccharide compositions, and characteristic functional groups of polysaccharides, they exhibited different surface morphology. In vitro assays showed that polysaccharides extracted by ammonium oxalate solution possessed good scavenging ability against DPPH free radical, hydroxyl free radical and superoxide anion free radical as well as reduction power of iron ion. At the same time, both polysaccharides extracted by ammonium oxalate solution and sodium hydroxide solution promoted NO production in mouse macrophages along with the secretion of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. These results indicated significant differences in the structure and characteristics among Auricularia polysaccharides prepared by various extraction methods, which may be related to the variety or origin of A. auricula; furthermore, their bioactivities varied accordingly in vitro assays where the ammonium oxalate solution extraction method was found more beneficial for obtaining high-quality bioactive Auricularia polysaccharides.

Auricularia auricula polysaccharides attenuate obesity in mice through gut commensal Papillibacter cinnamivorans

INTRODUCTION

Auricularia auricula is a well-known traditional edible and medical fungus with high nutritional and pharmacological values, as well as metabolic and immunoregulatory properties. Nondigestible fermentable polysaccharides are identified as primary bioactive constituents of Auricularia auricula extracts. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides (AAP) on obesity and related metabolic endpoints, including the role of the gut microbiota, remain insufficiently understood.

METHODS

The effects of AAP on obesity were assessed within high-fat diet (HFD)-based mice through obesity trait analysis and metabolomic profiling. To determine the mechanistic role of the gut microbiota in observed anti-obesogenic effects AAP, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and pseudo-germ-free mice model treated with antibiotics were also applied, together with 16S rRNA genomic-derived taxonomic profiling.

RESULTS

High-fat diet (HFD) murine exposure to AAP thwarted weight gains, reduced fat depositing and enhanced glucose tolerance, together with upregulating thermogenesis proteomic biomarkers within adipose tissue. Serum metabolome indicated these effects were associated with changes in fatty acid metabolism. Intestine-dwelling microbial population assessments discovered that AAP selectively enhanced Papillibacter cinnamivorans, a commensal bacterium with reduced presence in HFD mice. Notably, HFD mice treated with oral formulations of P. cinnamivorans attenuated obesity, which was linked to decreased intestinal lipid transportation and hepatic thermogenesis. Mechanistically, it was demonstrated that P. cinnamivorans regulated intestinal lipids metabolism and liver thermogenesis by reducing the proinflammatory response and gut permeability in a JAK-STAT signaling-related manner.

CONCLUSION

Datasets from the present study show that AAP thwarted dietary-driven obesity and metabolism-based disorders by regulating intestinal lipid transportation, a mechanism that is dependent on the gut commensal P. cinnamivorans. These results indicated AAP and P. cinnamivorans as newly identified pre- and probiotics that could serve as novel therapeutics against obesity.

A Systematic Review on the Research Progress on Polysaccharides from Fungal Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a class of natural drugs with multiple components and significant therapeutic effects through multiple targets. It also originates from a wide range of sources containing plants, animals and minerals, and among them, plant-based Chinese medicine also includes fungi. Fungal traditional Chinese medicine is a medicinal resource with a long history and widespread application in China. Accumulating evidence confirms that polysaccharide is the main pharmacodynamic material on which fungal TCM is based. The purpose of the current systematic review is to summarize the extraction, isolation, structural identification, biological functions, quality control and medicinal and edible applications of polysaccharides from fungal TCM in the past three years. This paper will supplement and deepen the understanding and application of polysaccharides from fungal TCM, and propose some valuable insights for further research and development of drugs and functional foods.

The polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via modulating gut microbiota and bile acids metabolism

The polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula (AAPs), containing a large number of O-acetyl groups that are related to the physiological and biological properties, seem to be potential prebiotics like other edible fungus polysaccharides. In the present study, therefore, the alleviating effects of AAPs and deacetylated AAPs (DAAPs, prepared from AAPs by alkaline treatment) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat and high-cholesterol diet combined with carbon tetrachloride were investigated. The results revealed that both AAPs and DAAPs could effectively relieve liver injury, inflammation and fibrosis, and maintain intestinal barrier function. Both AAPs and DAAPs could modulate the disorder of gut microbiota and altered the composition of gut microbiota with enrichment of Odoribacter, Lactobacillus, Dorea and Bifidobacterium. Further, the alteration of gut microbiota, especially enhancement of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, was contributed to the changes of bile acids (BAs) profile with increased deoxycholic acid (DCA). Farnesoid X receptor could be activated by DCA and other unconjugated BAs, which participated the BAs metabolism and alleviated the cholestasis, then protected against hepatitis in NAFLD mice. Interestingly, it was found that the deacetylation of AAPs negatively affected the anti-inflammation, thereby reducing the health benefits of A. auricula-derived polysaccharides.

The Current State and Future Prospects of Auricularia auricula's Polysaccharide Processing Technology Portfolio

Auricularia auricula polysaccharides (AAP) have been widely studied in the field of medicine and healthcare because of their unique structure and physiological activity. Many species of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides have been extracted, isolated, and purified by different methods, and their structures have been analyzed. Auricularia auricula polysaccharides have been proven to have beneficial effects on the human body, including slowing the aging process, controlling the intestinal system, and treating cardiovascular disorders. In this paper, the extraction, isolation, and purification of AAP from Auricularia auricula, as well as research in the field of medicine and healthcare, have pointed to the shortcomings and limitations of these methods. We also suggest future research directions for Auricularia auricula polysaccharides; standardized processing methods must be confirmed, and officially approved AAPs are needed for commercial applications. Finally, an optimistic outlook on the development of AAPs is given.

An integration strategy combined progressive multivariate statistics with anticoagulant activity evaluation for screening anticoagulant quality markers in Chinese patent medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases affect human health globally. Naoxintong capsules (NXTs), a famous Chinese Patent Medicine, has been especially applied to treat cerebral infarction and coronary heart disease in clinical practice. The anticoagulant activity of this prescription plays an important role in this course of treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Thrombin and factor Xa (FXa) are two key targets considering the anticoagulant activity. The purpose of this investigation is to screen the quanlity markers as key thrombin and FXa inhibitors for the anticoagulant activity oriented quality control of Chinese patent medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Simple multi-polar solvent extraction processes using various proportions of solvents were conducted and their thrombin/FXa inhibitory activities were evaluated in vitro. Bivariate correlation analysis (BCA), grey correlation analysis (GCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA) were adopted for screening the potential active markers related to the anticoagulant activity. The chemical structures of these active compounds were identified by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and their thrombin/FXa inhibitory activity was determined. The molecular docking technology was applied to explore the interaction between the compounds and targets. The contribution of these anticoagulant active ingredients in NXT was also investigated. Last but not the least, the contents of these markers in NXT were determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method.

RESULTS

The results showed that the NXT extract exhibited great activity against thrombin and FXa, especially extracted by 75% methanol (v/v). Six marker compounds with potential anticoagulant activity were screened out. Therein, four of the active compounds owing thrombin inhibitory activity (paeoniflorin, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B, Z-ligustilide) and five of the active compounds owing FXa inhibitory activity (3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid B and Z-ligustilide). In addition, these active compounds accounted for a large proportion of thrombin/FXa inhibitory activity of NXTs. The binding energy also showed the strong interaction formed by close connection of the compounds to the residues of targets.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed integrated stategy could be an efficient strategy to screen potential thrombin/FXa inhibitors for the bioactivity related quanlity control of Chinese patent medicine.

Global Diversity and Updated Phylogeny of Auricularia (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota)

Auricularia has a worldwide distribution and is very important due to its edibility and medicinal properties. Morphological examinations and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of 277 samples from 35 countries in Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Oceania were carried out. Phylogenetic analyses were based on ITS, nLSU, rpb1, and rpb2 sequences using methods of Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses. According to the morphological and/or molecular characters, 37 Auricularia species were identified. Ten new species, A. camposii and A. novozealandica in the A. cornea complex, A. australiana, A. conferta, A. lateralis, A. pilosa and A. sinodelicata in the A. delicata complex, A. africana, A. srilankensis, and A. submesenterica in the A. mesenterica complex, are described. The two known species A. pusio and A. tremellosa, respectively belonging to the A. mesenterica complex and the A. delicata complex, are redefined, while A. angiospermarum, belonging to the A. auricula-judae complex, is validated. The morphological characters, photos, ecological traits, hosts and geographical distributions of those 37 species are outlined and discussed. Morphological differences and phylogenetic relations of species in five Auricularia morphological complexes (the A. auricula-judae, the A. cornea, the A. delicata, the A. fuscosuccinea and the A. mesenterica complexes) are elaborated. Synopsis data on comparisons of species in the five complexes are provided. An identification key for the accepted 37 species is proposed.

Plant/algal polysaccharides extracted by microwave: A review on hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, prebiotic, and immune-stimulatory effect

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is an emerging technology to obtain polysaccharides with an extensive spectrum of biological characteristics. In this study, the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, prebiotic, and immunomodulatory (e.g., antiinflammatory, anticoagulant, and phagocytic) effects of algal- and plant-derived polysaccharides rich in glucose, galactose, and mannose using MAE were comprehensively discussed. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that these bioactive macromolecules with the low digestibility rate could effectively alleviate the fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity, acute hemolysis, and dyslipidemia status. The optimally extracted glucomannan- and glucogalactan-containing polysaccharides revealed significant antidiabetic effects through inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase, improving dynamic insulin sensitivity and secretion, and promoting pancreatic β-cell proliferation. These bioactive macromolecules as prebiotics not only improve the digestibility in gastrointestinal tract but also reduce the survival rate of pathogens and tumor cells by activating macrophages and producing pro-inflammatory biomarkers and cytokines. They can effectively prevent gastrointestinal disorders and microbial infections without any toxicity.

Review of the application of pulsed electric fields (PEF) technology for food processing in China

With the improvement of living standards, growing consumer demand for high-quality and natural foods has led to the development of new mild processes to enhance or replace conventional thermal and chemical methods for food processing. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) is an emerging and promising non-thermal food processing technology, which is ongoing from laboratory and pilot plant level to the industrial level. Chinese researchers have made tremendous advances in the potential applications of PEF for processing a wide range of food commodities over the last few years, which contributes to the current understanding and development of PEF technology. The objective of this paper is to conduct a systematic review on the achievements of PEF technology used for food processing in China and the corresponding processing principles. Research on the applicability of PEF in food processing suggests that PEF can be used alone or in combination with other methods, not only to inactivate microorganisms and extract active constituents, but also to modify biomacromolecules, enhance chemical reactions and accelerate the aging of fermented foods, which are mainly related to permeabilization of biomembranes, occurrence of electrochemical and electrolytic reactions, polarization and realignment of molecules, and reduction of activation energy of chemical reactions induced by PEF treatments. In addition, some of the most important challenges for the successful implementation of large-scale industrial applications of PEF technology in the food industry are discussed. The results bring out the benefits of both researchers and the industry.

Response surface methodology for the fermentation of polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula using Trichoderma viride and their antioxidant activities

Fermentation technology was used to improve the antioxidant activities of Auricularia auricula polysaccharide (AAP). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the fermentation conditions. The effects of 4 independent factors: water content (X₁: 40-80%), inoculation amount (X₂: 2-20%), temperature (X₃: 24-32 °C), and time (X₄: 4-6 d) on the biological degradation efficiency were evaluated. The RSM results showed that the optimal fermentation conditions were: X₁: 61.7%, X₂: 12.4%, X₃: 31.0 °C, X₄: 5.5 d. Verification tests showed no significant differences between the practical and the predictive values for each response. Under the optimal conditions, the degradation rate was 26.89 ± 0.14%, without significant differences with the predicted value (27.03%). The degradation products were classified to different molecular weight (M_w) polysaccharide fragments using membrane separation technology. The FT-IR analysis and monosaccharide composition analysis of degraded AAP (D-AAP-VI) showed that D-AAP-VI was a furan type polysaccharide, which was different from the total AAP (pyran type). In addition, compared to total AAP, the antioxidant activities in vitro of D-AAP-VI were significantly improved (p < 0.05) and D-AAP-VI showed the strongest antioxidant activity. These results indicated that biological degradation may be a suitable way to improve the antioxidant activities of natural polysaccharides.

Extraction Optimization, Structural Characterization, and Anticoagulant Activity of Acidic Polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula-judae

To explore Auricularia auricula-judae polysaccharides (AAP) as natural anticoagulants for application in the functional food industry, ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) was optimized for the extraction of AAP by using a response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum extraction yield of crude AAP (14.74 mg/g) was obtained at the optimized extraction parameters as follows: Extraction temperature (74 °C), extraction time (27 min), the ratio of liquid to raw material (103 mL/g), and ultrasound power (198 W). Furthermore, the acidic AAP (aAAP) was precipitated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) from crude AAP (cAAP). aAAP was further purified using ion exchange chromatography with a DEAE Purose 6 Fast Flow column to obtain aAAP-1. Additionally, according to the HPLC analysis, the aAAP-1 was mainly composed of mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, and xylose, with a molar ratio of 80.63:9.88:2.25:1:31.13. Moreover, the results of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) indicated aAAP-1 had anticoagulant activity, which was a synergic anticoagulant activity by the endogenous and exogenous pathway.

Natural Products for Antithrombosis

Thrombosis is considered to be closely related to several diseases such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease and stroke, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, hyperuricemia, and various inflammatory conditions. More and more studies have been focused on understanding the mechanism of molecular and cellular basis of thrombus formation as well as preventing thrombosis for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. In reality, there is considerable interest in the role of natural products and their bioactive components in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis related disorders. This paper briefly describes the mechanisms of thrombus formation on three aspects, including coagulation system, platelet activation, and aggregation, and change of blood flow conditions. Furthermore, the natural products for antithrombosis by anticoagulation, antiplatelet aggregation, and fibrinolysis were summarized, respectively.

Chemical properties of a polysaccharide purified from solid-state fermentation of Auricularia auricular and its biological activity as a hypolipidemic agent

A water-soluble crude polysaccharide was extracted by hot water from Auricularia auricular mycelium grown under solid-state fermentation (SSF). The crude polysaccharide was purified by DEAE Sephadex A-50 and Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance ((1) H NMR) spectroscopy were used to investigate the structure of the purified A. auricular polysaccharide (AAP-I) and revealed that it is α-glycosidically linked. After 14 and 28 days of AAP-I orally administered, the AAP-I significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in mice in which hyperlipidemia had been induced by a high fat diet (P < 0.05). The results revealed that AAP-I from SSF of A. auricular mycelium possesses potent hypolipidemic properties. The polysaccharide may be useful as a functional food additive and a hypolipidemic agent.

A comparative study on anticoagulant activities of three Chinese herbal medicines from the genus Panax and anticoagulant activities of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rg2

CONTEXT

Chemical compositions of three herbal plants from the family Araliaceae genus Panax [Panax ginseng C. A. Mey, P. quinquefolius L. and P. notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen] are quite similar; however, their medicinal natures vary greatly. The reason for differences has been explained in traditional Chinese medicine theory and partially verified by modern pharmacological investigations, such as antiplatelet aggregation. Aside from platelet aggregation, a variety of plasma coagulation factors are also involved in blood coagulation. The anticoagulation profiles of three herbs have not been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The current research compared the inhibitory effects of three herbal extracts from Panax spp. and the purified ginsenosides from P. ginseng on blood coagulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human plasma was mixed with the water extracts (0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL) from roots of P. ginseng, P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng and ginsenosides Rg1 and Rg2 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL), the blood clotting time of activated partial thromboplastin, prothrombin and thrombin were measured by a biochemical analyzer.

RESULTS

The water extracts (0.05 mg/mL) of P. ginseng, P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng could significantly extend blood clotting time as compared to the control group. Among three herbal medicines, 0.05 mg/mL of water extract from P. ginseng exhibited the strongest anticoagulation effects, followed by P. notoginseng, while P. quinquefolius presented the weakest effects. Both ginsenosides Rg1 and Rg2 could significantly extend blood clotting time in all three tests; ginsenoside Rg2 exhibited relative stronger anticoagulation effects as compared to ginsenoside Rg1.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Among three herbs tested, P. ginseng as well as its active component ginsenoside Rg2 shows the strongest anticoagulation activity; current results indicate that P. ginseng and ginsenoside Rg2 have great potential to be an anticoagulation drug.