Antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of a water-soluble polysaccharide from Lilii Bulbus in mice

Lilium brownii/Baihe as Nutraceuticals: Insights into Its Composition and Therapeutic Properties

Nutraceuticals are compounds or components in food that offer health benefits. They can be incorporated into food to make it functional or used as supplements or medicine. Lilium brownii/Baihe is one of the classic nutraceuticals. The chemical composition of Lilium is complex and has a variety of pharmacological effects. Moreover, the compound preparation based on Lilium has been used in the treatment of respiratory diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, Lanzhou lily has become food on the dinner table. Therefore, Lilium brownii/Baihe is a nutraceutical with a long history. Based on the current understanding of Lilium, this review provides an in-depth discussion of the bioactive components and pharmacological effects of Lilium. This is important to provide theoretical reference for the in-depth study of Lilium as well as its development and application in medicine, food, and other industries.

Preparation, characteristic, biological activities, and application of polysaccharide from Lilii Bulbus: a review

OBJECTIVES

This review highlights the current knowledge of polysaccharide from Lilii Bulbus, including the extraction, purification, structure, structure modification, biological activities and application, which will hopefully provide reference for further research and development of polysaccharide from Lilii Bulbus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature searches were conducted on the following databases: Pubmed, ACS website, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Web of Science and CNKI database. Keywords such as "Lilii Bulbus", "polysaccharide", "preparation", "biological activities" and "application" were used to search relevant journals and contents, and some irrelevant contents were excluded.

RESULTS

In general, the study of Lilium Bulbus polysaccharide extraction and purification, structure characterization and biological activity has made substantial progress, these findings highlight the lilium brownii polysaccharide enormous potential in biomedical applications, of lilium brownii polysaccharide laid a solid foundation for further research.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

However, it should be noted that the relevant mechanism of the effective effect of lily bulb polysaccharide still needs to be worked on by researchers. These findings highlight the great potential of lily polysaccharides in biomedical applications, and lay a solid foundation for further research on lily polysaccharides.

Two New Phenylpropanoid Compounds from Lilium Brownii and Their Anti-monoamine Oxidase Activity

Baihe is a commonly used Chinese medicine for the treatment of neurological disorders. Clinically, the bulbs of Lilium brownii are used to act as Baihe. In the study, two new phenylpropanoid compounds including 3-O-acetyl-1-O-caffeoylglycerol (1) and 3-O-acetyl-1-O-p-coumaroylglycerol (2) were isolated from the bulbs of L. brownii. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic method and the effect on monoamine oxidase activity was determined using an enzyme labeling method. The results show 1 and 2 have anti-monoamine oxidase activity with 20.96 % and 22.31 % inhibition rates at 50 μg/ml, respectively.

Structural characterization of squash polysaccharide and its effect on STZ-induced diabetes mellitus model in MIN6 cells

A novel natural water-soluble acidic polysaccharide (PWESP-3) was isolated from squash with a molecular mass of 140.519 kDa, which was composed of arabinose (Ara, 35.30 mol%), galactose (Gal, 61.20 mol%), glucose (Glc, 1.80 mol%), and Mannuronic acid (ManA, 1.70 mol%) and contained Araf-(1→, →3)-Araf-(1→, →5)-Araf-(1→, Glcp-(1→, Galp-(1→, →3,5)-Araf-(1→, →2)-Glcp-(1→, →2)-Manp-(1→, →3)-Glcp-(1→, →4)-Galp-(1→, →3)-Galp-(1→, →6)-Galp-(1→, →3,4)-Galp-(1→, →4,6)-Galp-(1→ residues in the backbone. Moreover, the structure of PWESP-3 was identified by NMR spectra. The branch chain was connected to the main chain by the O-3 and O-4 atom of Gal. In addition, the effect of PWESP-3 on STZ-induced type I diabetes mellitus model in MIN6 cells was investigated. The results showed that PWESP-3 can increase the viability and insulin secretion of MIN6 cells and reduce the oxidative stress caused by ROS and NO. Meanwhile, PWESP-3 can also reduce the content of ATP, Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential and Caspase-3 activity in MIN6 cells. Furthermore, treatment with PWESP-3 can prevent single or double stranded DNA breaking to form DNA fragments and improve DNA damage in MIN6 cells, thereby avoiding apoptosis. Therefore, the above data highlight that PWESP-3 can improve the function of insulin secretion in STZ-induced MIN6 cells in vitro and can be used as an alternative food supplement to diabetes drugs.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, and applications of polysaccharides from the genus Lilium: A review

The genus Lilium (Lilium) has been widely used in East Asia for over 2000 years due to its rich nutritional and medicinal value, serving as both food and medicinal ingredient. Polysaccharides, as one of the most important bioactive components in Lilium, offer various health benefits. Recently, polysaccharides from Lilium plants have garnered significant attention from researchers due to their diverse biological properties including immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-aging and anti-radiation effects. However, the limited comprehensive understanding of polysaccharides from Lilium plants has hindered their development and utilization. This review focuses on the extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, structure-activity relationships, applications, and relevant bibliometrics of polysaccharides from Lilium plants. Additionally, it delves into the potential development and future research directions. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive understanding of polysaccharides from Lilium plants and to serve as a basis for further research and development as therapeutic agents and multifunctional biomaterials.

Antiseizure effects of Lilii Bulbus on pentylenetetrazol kindling-induced seizures in mice: Involvement of Reelin, Netrin-1, and semaphorin

Lilii Bulbus (Lilium lancifolium Thunberg) has a proneurogenic effect on the hippocampus. However, its effects on epilepsy and associated pathological features remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the antiseizure effects of a water extract of Lilii Bulbus (WELB) in mouse model of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure. Mice were injected with PTZ once every 48 h until full kindling was achieved. WELB (100 and 500 mg/kg) was orally administered once daily before PTZ administration and during the kindling process. We found that WELB treatment protected against PTZ-induced low seizure thresholds and high seizure severity. Further, WELB-treated mice showed attenuated PTZ kindling-induced anxiety and memory impairment. Immunostaining and immunoblots showed that hyperactivation and ectopic migration of dentate granule cells (DGCs) were significantly reduced by WELB treatment in PTZ kindling-induced seizure mice. Staining for mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) using Timm staining and ZnT3 showed that WELB treatment significantly decreased PTZ kindling-induced MFS. Furthermore, the increased or decreased expression of proteins related to ectopic DGCs (Reelin and Dab-1), MFS (Netrin-1, Sema3A, and Sema3F), and their downstream effectors (ERK, AKT, and CREB) in the hippocampus of PTZ kindling mice was significantly restored by WELB treatment. Overall, our findings suggest that WELB is a potential antiseizure drug that acts by reducing ectopic DGCs and MFS and modulating epileptogenesis-related signaling in the hippocampus.

Extraction, purification, characteristics, bioactivities, prospects, and toxicity of Lilium spp. polysaccharides

The genus Lilium has been widely used worldwide as a food and medicinal ingredient in East Asia for over 2000 years due to its higher nutritional and medicinal value. Polysaccharide is the most important bioactive ingredient in Lilium spp. and has various health benefits. Recently, Lilium spp. polysaccharides (LSPs) have attracted significant attention from industries and researchers due to their various biological properties, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antibacterial, hypoglycaemic, and anti-radiation. However, the development and utilization of LSP-based functional biomaterials and medicines are limited by a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the structure-activity relationships (SARs), industrial applications, and safety of LSPs. This review provides an inclusive overview of the extraction, purification, structural features, bioactivities, and mechanisms of LSPs. SARs, applications, toxicities, and influences of structural modifications on bioactivities are also highlighted, and the potential development and future study direction are scrutinized. This article aims to offer a complete understanding of LSPs and provide a foundation for further research and application of LSPs as therapeutic agents and multifunctional biomaterials.

Structural elucidation of a non-starch polysaccharides from Lilii Bulbus and its protective effects against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Lilii Bulbus is a folk medicine for both culinary and medicinal purpose. In traditional medicine theory, Lilii Bulbus is usually used as an complementary therapy for nourishing the heart and lung, clearing heat in the treatment of mental instability and depression. In this study, NLPS-1a (Mw = 2610 Da, DP = 16), a water-soluble non-starch Lilii Bulbus polysaccharides, was isolated and purified. Structural analysis showed that NLPS-1a mainly contained Man and Glc with a molar ratio of 11.137 and 9.427. The glycosidic linkages of NLPS-1a were 1,3-Manp (59.93%), 1,2-Glcp (37.93%), T-Glcp (1.21%) and T-Manp (0.93%), indicating the highly-linear structures. In addition, NLPS-1a could significantly repair the injury of PC12 cells induced by corticosterone (CORT), reduce Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and decrease the cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Above all, the results indicated that NLPS-1a had protective effects against CORT-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, and might be a natural antidepressant, which enriched the study of the metabolic mechanism between herbal polysaccharides and antidepressant.

Effects of High-Concentrate-Induced SARA on Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Levels and Rumen Microbiota and Function in Goats

This study aims to explore the antioxidant, immune, and enzyme metabolism aspects in goats experiencing subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Furthermore, we seek to elucidate the relationship between the symbiotic microbiota of goats and their metabolic function. Sixteen goats were equally divided into two groups and fed a normal-concentrate diet (NC, 55% concentrate) or a high-concentrate diet (HC, 90% concentrate) for five weeks. We found that the HC diet reduced the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p = 0.022) and increased interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (p = 0.015), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (p = 0.008) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p = 0.002) concentration of goats. Simultaneously, the HC diet significantly increased the concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and amylase (AMY) in the blood and rumen fluid of goats (p < 0.05). Microbial analysis in the rumen of goats revealed that the HC diet decreased bacterial richness and diversity, as evidenced by the changed observed species, Chao 1, PD whole tree and Shannon when compared to the NC diet (p < 0.01). The proportion of Proteobacteria increased while that of Spirochaetes and Fibrobacteres significantly decreased with the HC diet (p < 0.05). The Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010 in rumen was notably decreased when a diet was switched from 55% concentrate diet to 90% concentrate diet (p < 0.05). Additionally, microbial functional potentials deduced that the HC diet significantly increased the abundance of the citrate cycle (TCA cycle) (ko00020) associated with carbohydrate metabolism (p = 0.028). Furthermore, the HC diet significantly increased the glutathione metabolism (ko00480) associated with the metabolism of other amino acids (p = 0.008). Our findings suggested that SARA reduced the total antioxidant capacity and increased levels of inflammatory factors in goats, as well as decreased rumen bacterial species and abundance.

Anti-Melanogenic Effects of Lilium lancifolium Root Extract via Downregulation of PKA/CREB and MAPK/CREB Signaling Pathways in B16F10 Cells

Hyperpigmentation disorders causing emotional distress require the topical use of depigmenting agents of natural origin. In this study, the anti-melanogenic effects of the Lilium lancifolium root extract (LRE) were investigated in B16F10 cells. Consequently, a non-cytotoxic concentration of the extract reduced intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner, correlating with the diminished expression of core melanogenic enzymes within cells. LRE treatment also inhibited cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB)/microphthalmia-associated transcription factor signaling, which regulates the expression of tyrosinase-related genes. Upon examining these findings from a molecular mechanism perspective, LRE treatment suppressed the phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA), p38, and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), which are upstream regulators of CREB. In addition, L-phenylalanine and regaloside A, specifically identified within the LRE using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, exhibited inhibitory effects on melanin production. Collectively, these results imply that LRE potentially suppresses cAMP-mediated melanogenesis by downregulating PKA/CREB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/CREB signaling pathways. Therefore, it can be employed as a novel therapeutic ingredient of natural origin to ameliorate hyperpigmentation disorders.

Pro-neurogenic effects of Lilii Bulbus on hippocampal neurogenesis and memory

Lilii Bulbus, the bulb of tiger lily, has anti-oxidant and anti-tumorigenic properties. However, the effects of Lilii Bulbus on learning, memory, and hippocampal neurogenesis remain unknown. This study investigated whether water extract of Lilii Bulbus (WELB) affects memory ability and hippocampal neurogenesis. Behavioral analyses (Morris water maze and passive avoidance test), immunohistochemistry, cell proliferation assay, and immunoblot analysis were performed. WELB (50 and 100 mg/kg; for 14 days) enhanced memory retention and spatial memory in normal mice as well as in scopolamine-treated mice with memory deficits. Furthermore, the administration of WELB significantly increased the number of proliferating cells and surviving newborn cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in normal mice. We found that WELB has a pro-neurogenic effect by increasing the activation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) in the hippocampus. Moreover, we confirmed that WELB (100 and 200 μg/ml) significantly increased NE-4 C and primary embryonic NSCs proliferation. Inhibition/knockdown of MEK/ERK blocked WELB-induced MEK/ERK phosphorylation and NSCs proliferation. Hence, MEK/ERK activation was required in WELB-induced NSCs proliferation. Our study demonstrates the first evidence for WELB promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and memory; pro-neurogenic activity may enhance brain plasticity, with implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Natural killer cells strengthen antitumor activity of cisplatin by immunomodulation and ameliorate cisplatin-induced side effects

PURPOSE

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is now an important treatment for improving bladder cancer prognosis. However, challenges in clinical treatment remain due to the numerous side effects of chemotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells regulate certain immune responses and play a significant role in tumor surveillance and control. The efficacy of NK cells combined with cisplatin for chemoimmunotherapy in bladder cancer remains poorly understood.

METHODS

In this study, we established an MB49 tumor-bearing mouse model, tumor growth was measured in a control group and in groups treated with cisplatin, NK cells or both. Organ indices, biochemical indicators of blood serum, and expression of apoptotic proteins were used to assess the extent of organ damage. ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the levels of immune cells and cytokine expression in serum, spleen, and tumor tissue.

RESULTS

NK cells combined with cisplatin exhibited better antitumor activity. NK cells also alleviated the organ damage caused by cisplatin and improved the survival rate. Treatment with NK cells increased the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ as well as the number of CD4 + T cells. Additionally, cisplatin increased the expression of natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) ligands thus activating NK cells to kill tumor cells.

CONCLUSION

NK cells could alleviate the side effects of cisplatin treatment and enhance antitumor activity. The combination of NK cells and cisplatin thus provides a promising option for chemoimmunotherapy for bladder cancer.

A cold-water extracted polysaccharide-protein complex from Grifola frondosa exhibited anti-tumor activity via TLR4-NF-κB signaling activation and gut microbiota modification in H22 tumor-bearing mice

Grifola frondosa polysaccharide-protein complex (G. frondosa PPC) is a polymer which consists of polysaccharides and proteins/peptides linked by covalent bonds. In our previous ex vivo research, it has been demonstrated that a cold-water extracted G. frondosa PPC has stronger antitumor activity than a G. frondosa PPC extracted from boiling water. The main purpose of the current study was to further evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma and gut microbiota regulation effects of two PPCs isolated from G. frondosa at 4 °C (GFG-4) and 100 °C (GFG-100) in vivo. The results exhibited that GFG-4 remarkably upregulated the expression of related proteins in TLR4-NF-κB and apoptosis pathway, thereby inhibiting the development of H22 tumors. Additionally, GFG-4 increased the abundance of norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Bacillus and reduced the abundance of Lactobacillus. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analysis suggested that GFG-4 promoted SCFAs production, particularly butyric acid. Conclusively, the present experiments revealed GFG-4 has the potential of anti-hepatocellular carcinoma growth via activating TLR4-NF-κB pathway and regulating gut microbiota. Therefore, G. frondosa PPCs could be considered as safe and effective natural ingredient for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study also provides a theoretical foundation for the regulation of gut microbiota by G. frondosa PPCs.

Integration of network pharmacology and intestinal flora to investigate the mechanism of action of Chinese herbal Cichorium intybus formula in attenuating adenine and ethambutol hydrochloride-induced hyperuricemic nephropathy in rats

CONTEXT

Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae) formula (CF) has been applied as a folk medicine to treat hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN). However, the exact mechanism remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of CF on HN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Through network pharmacological methods, the targets of the active component of CF against HN were obtained. Subsequently, Male Wistar rats were divided into control, HN, allopurinol (50 mg/kg), CF high-dose (8.64 g/kg) and CF low-dose (2.16 g/kg) groups. The HN model was induced via intragastric administration of adenine (100 mg/kg) and ethambutol hydrochloride (250 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. After CF treatment, biochemical indicators including UA, UREA and CREA were measured. Then, HE staining, qRT-PCR and gut microbiota analysis were conducted to further explore the mechanism.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology identified 83 key targets, 6 core genes and 200 signalling pathways involved in the treatment of HN. Compared to the HN group, CF (8.64 g/kg) significantly reduced the levels of UA, UREA and CREA (from 2.4 to 1.57 μMol/L, from 15.87 to 11.05 mMol/L and from 64.83 to 54.83 μMol/L, respectively), and mitigated renal damage. Furthermore, CF inhibited the expression of IL-6, TP53, TNF and JUN. It also altered the composition of gut microbiota, and ameliorated HN by increasing the relative abundance of some probiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

This work elucidated the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism by which CF protects against HN from the view of the biodiversity of the intestinal flora, thus providing a scientific basis for the usage of CF.

Current emerging trends in antitumor activities of polysaccharides extracted by microwave- and ultrasound-assisted methods

This overview highlighted the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of polysaccharides extracted by ultrasound- and microwave-assisted solvent extraction methods. The polysaccharide fragments with stronger antiproliferation, antitumoral, and anticarcinoma effects can be identified through purification, fractionation, and bio-analytical assessments. Most of the extracted glucan-based polysaccharides in a dose-dependent manner inhibited the growth of human cancer cell types with cell death-associated morphological changes. Glucans, glucogalactans, and pectins without any cytotoxicity on normal cells showed the antitumor potential by the apoptosis induction and the inhibition of their tumorigenesis, metastasis, and transformation. There is a significantly high association among antiproliferative activities, structural features (e.g., molecular weight, monosaccharide compositions, and contents of sulfate, selenium, and uronic acid), and other bio-functionalities (e.g., antiradical and antioxidant) of isolated polysaccharides. The evaluation of structure-activity relationships of antitumor polysaccharides is an intriguing step forward to develop highly potent anticancer pharmaceuticals and foods without any side effects.

Lanzhou Lily polysaccharide fragment protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells from radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks

Background

Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of tumors. However, while killing tumor cells, radiation may also cause damage to the surrounding normal tissues. Therefore, it is very important to find safe and effective radiation protection agents.

Purpose

To investgate the radiation protection effect of Lanzhou Lily polysaccharide fragments (LLP). Methods: The crude polysaccharides of Lanzhou Lily were extracted from the dried bulb powder of Lilium lilium by ultrasonic-assisted hot water method, and then five different fragments were separated from the polysaccharides by DEAE-52-cellulose column. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, neutral comet and immunofluorescent staining were used to investigate the effect of LPe fragment on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) survival and the possible radioprotective mechanism.

Results

The LPe fragment (composing of mannose and glucose, with a ratio of 5.5:2.9, and the average molecular weight is 8629.8 Da), significantly promoted the proliferation of HUVECs and protected cells from X-ray-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA, in which pretreatment with the LPe fragment at 100 μg/mL showed the most pronounced protection. In addition, the occurrence of X-ray-induced γH2AX foci was significantly reduced by treatment with the LPe fragment at 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL. Furthermore, caffeine or wortmannin in combination with the LPe fragment at 25 μg/mL significantly reduced the number of X-ray-induced γH2AX foci, indicating phosphoinositide-3 kinases (PI3K) is involved in H2AX phosphorylation in HUVECs.

Conclusion

These results indicate the LPe fragment has a protective effect against radiation-induced DSBs and may be used as a natural antioxidant agent.

Structural characterization of a water-soluble polysaccharide from Angelica dahurica and its antitumor activity in H22 tumor-bearing mice

A novel Angelica dahurica polysaccharide (ADP) with Mw of 6.09 × 10³ Da was isolated. The contents of total sugar and uronic acid in ADP were 91.04% and 12.69%. The structure characteristics indicated that ADP was an acidic polysaccharide consisting of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid (0.09: 0.61: 1.88: 1: 0.14: 0.63: 0.03). Moreover, there were →3)-Manp-(1→, →4, 6)-Galp-(1→, →4)-Galp-(1→, →3)-Glcp-(1→, →5)-Araf-(1→, →2)-Galp-(1→ in ADP with relative molar ratios of 0.32:0.57:0.29:0.95:0.71:0.26. In vivo experiments suggested that ADP significantly inhibited the tumor growth of mice, increased the activities of spleen lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, improved the cytokine level (IL-2 and TNF-α) and the proportions of lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood. The tumor cell progression was arrested in the G₁ phase, and the apoptosis rate of tumor cells were 7.54% and 19.32% at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg, which was consistent with the results of pathological observation. In summary, the study might provide a theoretical basis for the application on functional foods containing Angelica dahurica polysaccharides.

Recent Advancements and Future Perspectives of Microalgae-Derived Pharmaceuticals

Microalgal cells serve as solar-powered factories that produce pharmaceuticals, recombinant proteins (vaccines and drugs), and valuable natural byproducts that possess medicinal properties. The main advantages of microalgae as cell factories can be summarized as follows: they are fueled by photosynthesis, are carbon dioxide-neutral, have rapid growth rates, are robust, have low-cost cultivation, are easily scalable, pose no risk of human pathogenic contamination, and their valuable natural byproducts can be further processed. Despite their potential, there are many technical hurdles that need to be overcome before the commercial production of microalgal pharmaceuticals, and extensive studies regarding their impact on human health must still be conducted and the results evaluated. Clearly, much work remains to be done before microalgae can be used in the large-scale commercial production of pharmaceuticals. This review focuses on recent advancements in microalgal biotechnology and its future perspectives.

Chemical elucidation of an arabinogalactan from rhizome of Polygonatum sibiricum with antioxidant activities

Polygonatum sibiricum is traditionally used as Chinese medicine for immunity enhancement. Exploration of polysaccharides from Polygonatum species would provide a wider insight into the studies on their chemical structures and function activities. In this study, the alkali-extracted polysaccharide from P. sibiricum (PSP) was isolated and examined. The polysaccharide was firstly isolated by ion-exchange chromatography equipped with DE52 column, followed by isolated through Superdex-200 column. The obtained PSPJWA fraction was a homogenous one with average molecular weight of 141 kDa. The monosaccharide composition was galactose, arabinose and rhamnose in a ratio of 14:4:1. The glycosidic linkages of PSPJWA fraction were indicated to be Araf-(1→, →5)-Araf-(1→, →3,5)-Araf-(1→, Galp-(1→, →4)-Galp-(1→, →4,6)-Galp-(1→ and →2,4)-Rhap-(1→ residue by methylation analysis. NMR and enzymatic studies showed that PSPJWA was a novel arabinogalactan-type structure. PSPJW polysaccharides with different molecular weight and similar chemical structure had different antioxidant activities. Together, P. sibiricum polysaccharide has the potential to be a natural antioxidant.

Analysis of Acanthopanax giraldii Harms Polysaccharide II Composition and Its Immune-Protective Role in a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressive Mice Model

Acanthopanax giraldii Harms is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat rheumatism, improve joints, and strengthen muscles and bones. The polysaccharides present in A. giraldii Harms contain major bioactive substances, which have antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral activities. In this study, the structural characterization of the homogeneous polysaccharide isolated from A. giraldii Harms, known as AHP-II, and its immunomodulatory effects in vivo will be studied. High-performance ion chromatography (HPIC) and high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) based analyses revealed that AHP-II was composed of various monosaccharides, which included rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid in molar ratios of 29.5 : 24.6 : 23.8 : 4.4 : 5.7 : 8.8 : 3.1, respectively, and had a collective molecular weight of 80.21 × 10³ Da. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the presence of a pyranose ring and β-type glycosidic linkages in AHP-II. In addition, immunomodulatory effect analyses of AHP-II that used a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mouse model demonstrated that its treatment could significantly restore spleen and thymus indices, promote the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes, elevate CD4⁺ T lymphocyte percentage and CD4⁺ : CD8⁺ ratio in the spleen, promote macrophage phagocytosis, and restore cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IgM, and IgG) levels. These results suggested that AHP-II could potentially be used as natural immunomodulator and as an alternative treatment to reduce chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.

Characterization of a neutral polysaccharide from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch) with potential immunomodulatory activity

A neutral polysaccharide designated as CMDP-1a (molecular mass 9.263 kDa) was isolated from Cucurbita moschata Duch through hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and column chromatography. On the basis of methylation, fourier-transform infrared, monosaccharide composition, and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses, the structure of CMDP-1a was determined to be a backbone composed of α-1,4 linked glucopyranosyl residues with α-Glcp residue linkage at backbone C-6. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that CMDP-1a had a spherical conformation in solution. In immunostimulation assays, CMDP-1a promoted the proliferation of RAW 264.7 macrophages and significantly enhanced their pinocytic and phagocytic capacity. Furthermore, CMDP-1a induced the M1 polarization of original macrophages and the conversion of macrophages from M2 to M1, thereby modulating the balance of M1/M2 macrophages. These results indicated that CMDP-1a might be a potential immunomodulator for food purposes.

Novel polysaccharide extracted from Sipunculus nudus inhibits HepG2 tumour growth in vivo by enhancing immune function and inducing tumour cell apoptosis

A novel polysaccharide was extracted from Sipunculus nudus (SNP). The molecular weight (MW) of SNP was determined to be 9223 Da by high‐performance gel permeation chromatography analyses, and the structure of the SNP repeat units was determined to be →3,4‐β‐D‐GlcpNAC (1→ and →4) ‐α‐D‐Glcp (1→ in the ratio of 15:1; →2) ‐α ‐D‐Galp ‐ (1→ as a side chain; and β‐D‐Galp‐(1→ and α‐ D‐Glcp ‐ (1→ as end groups by GC‐MS analysis and NMR assays. The effect of SNP on hepatoma HepG2‐bearing mice was analysed to verify its potential in the clinical treatment of liver cancer. A total of 90 male athymic nu/nu mice were divided into therapeutic and preventive groups and fed with different amounts of SNP. The antitumour effect of SNP on HepG2‐bearing mice and mechanism of such were studied by analysing the tumour size, spleen index, thymus index, immune factors in the blood, tumour apoptosis factors, etc. The results suggest that SNP not only increased the index of immune organs in the body, but also enhanced the secretion of immune factors, including interleukin‐2, interferon gamma and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha in the serum. SNP induced the apoptosis of tumour cells via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, which upregulated caspase‐3, caspase‐8, caspase‐9 and BCL2‐associated X, but downregulated B‐cell lymphoma‐2 and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression. In conclusion, SNP inhibited tumour growth by enhancing immune function and inducing tumour cell apoptosis in HepG2‐bearing mice. Therefore, SNP may be further investigated as a promising candidate for future antitumour drugs.

Isovitexin potentiated the antitumor activity of cisplatin by inhibiting the glucose metabolism of lung cancer cells and reduced cisplatin-induced immunotoxicity in mice

The increased resistance and toxicity have become the main causes of chemotherapy failure for treating lung cancer. The combination of chemotherapeutic drugs with other agents has been recognized as a promising strategy to overcome these difficulties. Isovitexin (IVT) is a well-known flavone C-glycoside found in many plants and has attracted wide attention due to its obvious antitumor and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effects of IVX and cisplatin (DDP) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 and H1975 cells. The results showed that the combined treatment with IVT and DDP markedly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of the two NSCLC cells. Using a mouse model of A549 xenograft, IVT potentiated the inhibition of DDP on tumor growth, but reduced DDP-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice. Remarkedly, IVT promoted lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and lectin- stimulated splenocyte proliferation, and enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cell activities as well as the production of IL-2 and TNF-α. Furthermore, IVT significantly reduced glucose uptake, lactate production, and ATP production, and downregulated the protein expressions of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-mediated pathway in both A549 and H1975 cells. After the over-expression of PKM2 in the NSCLC cells, the synergistic antitumor effect of IVT and DDP was markedly weakened. Therefore, IVT not only inhibited cell proliferation and glucose metabolism via downregulating the expression of PKM2 to enhance the antitumor activity of DDP against lung cancer cells, and improved DDP-induced immunotoxicity in mice. It also presented a novel strategy to enhance the anti-tumor effect of platinum-based chemotherapy against NSCLC.

Genus Lilium: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Lilium (family Liliaceae) is native to China and is mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere such as Eastern Asia, Europe, and North America. There are about 109 species of this genus and 55 species in China. In America, the bulbs were used as food. In Europe, the petals and bulbs of Lilium candidum uesd as pectoral poultices, wound-healing remedy and a treatment for mastitis and shingles, the bulbs of L. martagon were used to treat every liver disease. In India, the bulbs are used medicinally as galactagogue, expectorant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, antipyretic and revitalizing tonic. In Asia, bulbs of this genus are often used to treat coughs, lung diseases, burns and swellings.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this work was to summarize traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity, which provided a theoretical basis for the further study of Lilium plants and their applications in medicine, food and other industries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Online scientific databases including Science Direct, American chemical society (ACS), Wiley Online Library, the Web of Science, China national knowledge internet (CNKI) and others were searched to identify eligible studies. More data were obtained from other Chinese medicine books.

RESULTS

The literature survey revealed diverse traditional uses of the genus Lilium, mainly for the treatment of lung deficiency, hemostasis, anxiety, palpitations, asthma and vomiting. Over 180 compounds have been isolated and identified from the genus Lilium, including steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, phenolic glycerides, flavonoids and alkaloids. Different extracts and monomer compounds were so far evaluated for number of pharmacological activities including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, antidepressant and hepatoprotective activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Lilium spp. are of much significance as ornamental flowers, but also have potential to treat various diseases, especially anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, most of the studies on pharmacological effects are still in in vitro, and further studies on mechanism-based pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro are needed in the future. At present, there are limited researches on its safety and toxicological effects, which should be further explored.

Immunoregulatory activities of the selenylated polysaccharides of Lilium davidii var. unicolor Salisb in vitro and in vivo

Studies have demonstrated that the modification of selenylation can improve the activity of polysaccharides. Lilium davidii var. unicolor Salisb (known as "lily bulb") is the dried succulent bulb of the genus Lilium in the family Liliaceae. We wished to investigate the immunoregulatory activities of the selenized polysaccharides of lily bulb (sLP). We undertook experiments in vitro and in vivo taking the unmodified polysaccharides of lily bulb (LP) as controls. The results of in vitro studies showed that sLP could promote the phagocytosis of RAW 264.7 cells significantly, increase the content of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-2, enhance the activity of acid phosphatase, and increase the surface molecular expression of CD86 and CD80. The results of in vivo studies showed that sLP could improve the index of immune organs, increase the contents of interferon-γ, IL-6, immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM in serum, and promote lymphocyte proliferation. The immunoregulatory activities of sLP were significantly more robust than those of LP in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that selenylation could enhance the immune-enhancement activity of LP significantly.

A water-soluble selenium-enriched polysaccharide produced by Pleurotus ostreatus: Purification, characterization, antioxidant and antitumor activities in vitro

The development and application of new selenium-enriched polysaccharides has become a critical topic in recent years. In this study, a natural selenium-enriched polysaccharide fraction (Se-POP-21) produced by Pleurotus ostreatus was purified, characterized, and investigated the antioxidant and antitumor activities in vitro. The Se-POP-21 was mainly composed of mannose, glucose, galactose and arabinose, with a molar ratio of 18.01:2.40:26.15:7.34, of which molecular weight was 15,888 Da and the selenium content was 5.31 μg/g. Spectral analysis demonstrated that Se-POP-21 represented a non-triple helix pyranopolysaccharide and selenium occurred in the form of C-O-Se and SeO. Molecular size and morphology studies showed that Se-POP-21 exhibited a spherical shape with a particle size distribution between 100 and 200 nm, even though Se-POP-21 aggregates were also found with a size between 500 and 600 nm. In addition, Se-POP-21 showed strong scavenging capacity to DPPH and hydroxyl radical. More, cell experiments showed that Se-POP-21 could reduce viability of A549, SKOV3, HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, induce apoptosis and inhibit metastasis of A549 cells. A potential mechanism was that Se-POP-21 inhibited the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells. Se-POP-21 featured no significant effect on normal cells. Se-POP-21 showed great potential to develop into a natural antioxidant or low-toxic antitumor drug.

Baihe Wuyao decoction ameliorates CCl4-induced chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis in mice through blocking TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baihe Wuyao decoction (BWD), a prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicines, composed of Lilium brownii var. viridulum Baker.(Lilii Bulbus) and Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. (Linderae Radix), has been used to treat epigastric pain and superficial gastritis for hundreds of years in China. Recently, some compounds obtained from Lilii Bulbus and Linderae Radix had active effects of hepatic protection or liver fibrosis alleviation. Thus, we aim to evaluate the effects of BWD on treatment of chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and to elucidate the possible molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were treated with BWD (low, medium and high dose), diammonium glycyrrhizinate or vehicle by oral gavage once daily, simultaneously intraperitoneal injected with a single dose of CCl₄ (1 μl/g body weight) twice a week for consecutive 6 weeks. Next, all mice were sacrificed after fasted 12 h, and serums and liver tissues were harvested for analysis. The hepatic injury was detected by serum biomarker assay, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The hepatic histology and collagen were illustrated by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Sirius red staining respectively. The antioxidant capacity of liver tissues was evaluated by the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenization. The mRNA gene or protein expressions related to fibrosis, oxidative stress and inflammation molecules were performed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) or Western-blot.

RESULTS

BWD exhibited a good hepatic protection with ameliorating liver histological changes, decreasing serum AST and ALT contents, and reducing hepatic fibrosis with stimulation ECMs (such as Collagen1 and Collagen3) degradation. BWD inhibited hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, promoted matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP9, and MMP12 while suppressing tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1) expression, and blocked traditional fibrosis TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signal pathway. Moreover, BWD exhibited anti-inflammation effect proved by the reduction of liver Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), TNF-α, IL-11 mRNA levels and promoted anti-oxidation effects determined by inhibition of liver MDA and iNOS levels while promoting liver SOD and Mn-SOD.

CONCLUSION

BWD ameliorates CCl₄-induced CLI and liver fibrosis which is correlated to its blocking TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation effects. BWD, as a small traditional prescription, is a promising treatment for CLI and liver fibrosis through multiple pharmacological targets.

Structural characterization of Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor) polysaccharides and determination of their associated antioxidant activity

BACKGROUD

The Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor) is the only Lilium species that is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes in China. Its bulbs contain various bioactive substances, such as polysaccharides, saponins and colchicine. Lanzhou lily polysaccharides are known to have anti-immunity, anti-tumor and anti-oxidation functions.

RESULTS

The present study used a Box-Behnken design to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction of Lanzhou lily polysaccharides. Compared to other enzymes, trypsin significantly increased the polysaccharide yields, whereas the protein content of polysaccharides extracted with trypsin was the lowest. Monosaccharide mainly includes glucose (> 50%) and mannose (> 10%). 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, chelating activity, total antioxidant capacity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of Lanzhou lily polysaccharides extracted with trypsin were stronger than those extracted without enzymes (control). Structural characteristics of Lanzhou lily polysaccharides extracted with trypsin and extracted without enzymes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. When water extracted polysaccharide and trypsin extracted polysaccharide concentrations were 200 μg mL^-1 , Raw264.7 proliferation rates were 101.69% and 159.41%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The Lanzhou lily polysaccharide was identified as α-(1 → 6)-d-glucan. Consequently, the effects of both potential antioxidant and proliferative activity of trypsin are significant. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cordyceps cicadae polysaccharides ameliorated renal interstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy rats by repressing inflammation and modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a complication of diabetes mellitus, has been the leading cause of death in people with chronic kidney disease. This study was conducted to examine the potential health benefits of Cordyceps cicadae polysaccharides (CCP) on kidney injury and renal interstitial fibrosis that occur in DN rats. First, a DN model was established using SD rats fed with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, then injected with STZ (35 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The rats were then supplemented with CCP (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The results indicated that CCP improve insulin resistance and glucose tolerance in DN rats. Furthermore, CCP intervention significantly suppressed the inflammation, renal pathological changes and renal dysfunction, slowing down the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis. Moreover, high-throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA suggested that CCP modulated the dysbiosis of gut microbiota by enhancing the relative abundance and proliferation capacity of probiotics. In vitro, CCP can markedly decrease LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine levels and TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation. In summary, the results provided evidence that CCP exerted a beneficial effect on tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DN rats by possibly suppressing the inflammatory response and modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis, via blocking the TLR4/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

PRP1, a heteropolysaccharide from Platycodonis Radix, induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells via regulating miR-21-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway

Two polysaccharides (PRP1 and PRP2) were isolated from Platycodonis Radix. Preliminary structural analysis indicated that PRP1 was composed of glucose, fructose, and arabinose in a molar ratio of 1:1.91:1.59 with a molecular weight of 440 kDa, whereas PRP2 was composed of arabinose, fructose, and galactose in a molar ratio of 1:1.39:1.18 with a molecular weight of 2.85 kDa. Compared with PRP2, PRP1 exerted stronger anticancer activity in vitro. Treatment with 5-30 μg/ml of PRP1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in vitro, and oral administration at the doses of 75-300 mg/kg also reduced the tumor growth in vivo. The miRNA expression patterns of human liver cancer cells HepG2 in vivo under PRP1 treatment were established, and microRNA-21 (miR-21) as the onco-miRNA was appreciably downregulated. PRP1 repressed the expression of miR-21, which directly targeted and suppressed PTEN (a negative regulator of the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade), and subsequently upregulated the expression of PTEN but downregulated the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby promoting liver cancer cell apoptosis. These findings indicated that PRP1 inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of HepG2 mainly via inactivating the miR-21/PI3K/AKT pathway. Therefore, PRP1 could be used as a food supplement and candidate for the treatment of liver cancer.

Adjuvant activities of CTAB-modified Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide cubosomes on immune responses to ovalbumin in mice

Recently, the cubosomes have been widely studied as drug carriers. It has been described that cubosomes could further stimulate the immune response after carrying the immune enhancer. Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP), one of the most important biologically active ingredients of Polygonatum sibiricum, has been reported as an immunostimulant to improve immune responses. This study was aimed to observe the immunomodulation effects of ovalbumin (OVA) absorbed cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide cubosomes (CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs/OVA). Firstly, the antigen uptake of CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs/OVA by macrophages was determined in vitro. After that, mice were immunized with CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs/OVA. The activation of dendritic cells in lymph nodes, activation of lymphocyte, ratios of CD4⁺ to CD8⁺, the concentrations of OVA-specific IgG in serum and the cytokines concentrations were analyzed. As the results showed, CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs/OVA could promote the production of OVA-specific IgG in serum. The ratio of CD4⁺ to CD8⁺ in CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs/OVA group was significantly increased compared with other groups. CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs/OVA could significantly activate dendritic cells and promote lymphocyte proliferation. The results indicated that CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs/OVA could promote the secretion of related cytokines and the proliferation of lymphocytes, stimulate the cellular immune response and increase the level of humoral immunity. Above all, CTAB-modified PSP-Cubs had good adjuvant activity.

Recent progress in the research of yam mucilage polysaccharides: Isolation, structure and bioactivities

Yam (Dioscorea spp.), known as an edible and medicinal tuber crop in China, has been used historically for the treatment of diabetes, diarrhea, asthma, and other ailments in traditional Chinese medicine. Moreover, it has been consumed as starchy food for thousands of years in China. Modern phytochemistry and pharmacological experiments have been proved that non-starch polysaccharide is one of the main bioactive substances of yam. Many studies have been focused on the isolation and identification of polysaccharides and their bioactivities of Chinese yam. However, due to the difference in the variety of raw materials and the method of polysaccharides extracting, the structure and biological activity of the obtained polysaccharides also differ. It has been demonstrated that Chinese yam polysaccharide has various important biological activities, such as hypoglycemia, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. This paper is aimed at summarizing previous and current references of the isolation processes, structural features and bioactivities of yam polysaccharides. The review will serve as a useful reference material for further investigation and application of yam polysaccharides in functional foods and medicine fields.

Characterization and anti-tumor bioactivity of astragalus polysaccharides by immunomodulation

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) has attracted growing interests in the field of anti-cancer by direct killing effect and improving immune function. In this study, the structure and composition of APS was determined, following the evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity of APS targeted macrophages and host immune system based on immunoregulated strategy. The results indicated that APS had no direct cytotoxicity against 4T1 cells, but APS mediated macrophages could significantly inhibit the growth of 4T1 cells by the induction of cell cycle arrest (G2 phase) and cell apoptosis. APS mediated macrophages promoted the apoptosis of 4T1 cells mainly through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The in vivo findings demonstrated that APS could markedly improve the thymus index and spleen index, and restore the structure of the damaged thymus and spleen tissue. APS could significantly enhance the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes and increase phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages in mice. Furthermore, APS was capable of up-regulating the expression of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in peripheral blood. APS combined with 5-FU could improve the anti-tumor effect accompanied by the immunosuppressive alleviation of 5-FU on immune system, which may be suitable as an immune adjuvant for chemotherapy.

Total Polysaccharides of Lily Bulb Ameliorate Menopause-Like Behavior in Ovariectomized Mice: Multiple Mechanisms Distinct from Estrogen Therapy

Our previous study has demonstrated the effects of aqueous extract of lily bulb in alleviating menopause-related psychiatric symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. This study sought to further investigate the psychotropic effects of total polysaccharides of lily bulb (TPLB) against anxiety, depression, and cognitive deterioration and the underlying mechanisms in OVX mice using behavioral, neurochemical, molecular, and proteomic approaches in comparison with estrogen therapy. While TPLB and estradiol showed similar effects in reducing OVX-induced anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, the psychotropic effects of TPLB were more closely associated with the predominant activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) and regulation of brain regional neurotransmitters and neurotrophins with minor effects on the uterus. Estradiol had similar potencies in binding affinity at ERα and ERβ, which caused widespread genetic and epigenetic effects. In contrast, TPLB displayed a higher affinity at ERβ than ERα, triggering the specific Ras/Akt/ERK/CREB signaling pathway without affecting any epigenetic activity. TPLB additionally modulated multiple proteins associated with mitochondrial oxidative stress, but estradiol did not. These results indicate that TPLB has comparable efficacy in reducing menopause-associated neuropsychological symptoms with a better safety profile compared to estrogen therapy. We suggest that TPLB could serve as a novel agent for menopause syndrome.

Structure-immunomodulatory activity relationships of Hedysarum polysaccharides extracted by a method involving a complex enzyme combined with ultrasonication

A new, more effective and environmentally friendly method involving a complex enzyme combined with ultrasonication was employed to extract and isolate three novel polysaccharides (HPS-MCs: HPS-MC, HPS-MC (50%) and HPS-MC (80%)) of Radix Hedysari. Compared with polysaccharides obtained using a traditional extraction method (hot water extraction, HPS-R), the yields and total carbohydrate contents of HPS-MCs were significantly higher. HPS-MC (80%) exhibited relatively strong immunomodulatory activity and a concentration-dependent dose-response relationship under cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppressive conditions in mice models. To more comprehensively investigate the relationships between structural characteristics and immunomodulatory activity, HPS-MC (80%) was fractionated into three major homogeneous polysaccharide fractions (HPS-MC (80%)s: HPS-MC (80%)-1, HPS-MC (80%)-2, and HPS-MC (80%)-3). These three homogeneous polysaccharides had different mass percentages of monosaccharides species (rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose) by gas chromatography (GC) and different molecular weights and chain conformations by high-performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering (HPGPC-MALLS), and promoted macrophage and splenocyte proliferation to different degrees. These findings indicated that HPS-MC (80%) had a prominent potential immune response, especially HPS-MC (80%)-2 and HPS-MC (80%)-3, and might be suitable candidates for functional foods or potential novel immunomodulators.

Structural Characterization and Antitumor Activity of Polysaccharides from Kaempferia galanga L

The water-soluble polysaccharides from Kaempferia galanga L. (KGPs) were extracted and purified, and their structural characteristics and antitumor activity were further investigated. The UV spectrum, high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ion chromatography (IC) were employed to evaluate the structural characteristics, and H22 tumor-bearing mice model was established to demonstrate the antitumor activity. Physicochemical analysis and UV spectrum results showed that the proportions of total sugar, protein, and uronic acid in KGPs were 85.23%, 0.54%, and 24.17%, respectively. HPGPC, FTIR, and IC indicated that KGPs were acidic polysaccharides with skeletal modes of pyranose rings and mainly composed of arabinose and galactose with the average molecular weight of 8.5 × 105 Da. The in vivo antitumor experiments showed that KGPs could effectively protect the thymus and spleen of tumor-bearing mice from solid tumors and enhance the immunoregulatory ability of CD4+ T cells, the cytotoxic effects of CD8+ T cells and NK cells, and finally resulting in the inhibitory effects on H22 solid tumors. This study provided a theoretical foundation for the practical application of KGPs in food and medical industries.