Structure characteristics of low molecular weight pectic polysaccharide and its anti-aging capability by modulating the intestinal homeostasis

Polysaccharides from Balanophora harlandii Hook: Isolation, characterization, and anti-inflammation activities

Balanophora harlandii Hook (B. harlandii), a folk medicine, has been traditionally employed to treat traumatic bleeding, gastroenteritis, icteric hepatitis, hemorrhoids, and other conditions. In this work, polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory effects were extracted from B. harlandii and purified. The extraction conditions were optimized, and the properties of one purified neutral fraction, denoted as BHPs-W-S3, were analyzed. BHPs-W-S3 has a molecular weight of 14.1 kDa, and its three main monosaccharides are glucose, galactose, and xylose, with a molar ratio of 6.4:1.7:1.1. Its main chain consists of →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, and it has branch chains at the O-4 and/or O-3 positions. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that the polysaccharides from B. harlandi can decrease the phosphorylation level of p65 and IκBα in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells to reduce the expression of the pro-inflammatory genes such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β.

Preparation of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharide by Lactic Acid Bacterium Fermentation and Its Protective Mechanism against Alcoholic Liver Damage in Mice

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DP) was prepared with lactic acid bacterium fermentation to overcome the large molecular weight and complex structure of traditional DP for improving its functional activity and application range in this work. The structure was analyzed, and then the functional activity was evaluated using a mouse model of alcoholic liver damage. The monosaccharide compositions were composed of four monosaccharides: arabinose (0.13%), galactose (0.50%), glucose (24.38%), and mannose (74.98%) with a molecular weight of 2.13 kDa. The connection types of glycosidic bonds in fermented D. officinale (KFDP) were →4)-β-D-Manp(1→, →4)-β-Glcp(1→, β-D-Manp(1→, and β-D-Glcp(1→. KFDP exhibited an excellent protective effect on alcoholic-induced liver damage at a dose of 80 mg/kg compared with polysaccharide separated and purified from D. officinale without fermentation (KDP), which increased the activity of GSH, GSH-Px, and GR and decreased the content of MDA, AST, T-AOC, and ALT, as well as regulated the level of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β to maintain the normal functional structure of hepatocytes and retard the apoptosis rate of hepatocytes. The results proved that fermentation degradation is beneficial to improving the biological activity of polysaccharides. The potential mechanism of KFDP in protecting alcoholic liver damage was inhibiting the expression of miRNA-150-5p and targeting to promote the expression of Pik3r1. This study provides an important basis for the development of functional foods.

The response of Midknight Valencia oranges to ethephon degreening varies in the turning and regreening stages

BACKGROUND

Late-ripening citrus plays an important role in the stability of the global citrus industry. However, the regreening phenomenon in Valencia oranges impacts the peel color and commercial value. Ethylene degreening is an effective technique to improve the color of citrus fruits, but this effect may be delayed in regreened oranges. To better clarify this phenomenon, plastid morphology, pigment and phytohormone content in ethephon-degreened Midknight Valencia oranges harvested in different stages were evaluated.

RESULTS

Results showed that in fruits harvested at the turning stage, ethephon degreening treatment induced a chloroplast-to-chromoplast transition, and chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid accumulation were accelerated. Conversely, in fruits harvested at the regreening stage, the changes in plastid morphology were minimal, with delayed changes in chlorophyll and carotenoids. Genes related to ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathways supported these responses. Variations in endogenous auxin, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid and gibberellins could partially explain this phenomenon.

CONCLUSION

The response of Midknight Valencia oranges to ethephon degreening was delayed in the regreening stage, possibly due to the dynamic variations in endogenous phytohormones. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A novel polysaccharide from blueberry leaves: Extraction, structural characterization, hypolipidemic and hypoglycaemic potentials

In this study, the structural characterization, physicochemical properties, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic potentials of polysaccharide components (BLP-1, BLP-2, and BLP-3) purified from blueberry leaf polysaccharides (BLP) were investigated. Ion chromatography results showed that BLP-1, BLP-2, and BLP-3 contained rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, and glucuronic acid. In contrast to BLP-1, BLP-2 and BLP-3 included galacturonic acid. The methylation analysis results indicated that the backbones of BLP-1, BLP-2, and BLP-3 were mainly composed of glycosidic linkages of arabinose, galactose, and glucose, which was consistent with the results of the previously determined monosaccharide composition. The in-vitro antioxidant results showed that BLP-1, BLP-2, and BLP-3 possessed antioxidant activity with the highest scavenging of -OH radicals. Furthermore, BLP-1, BLP-2, and BLP-3 showed high bile acid-binding activity and α-amylase inhibitory activity, suggesting that they have the potentials of hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic. This study provides a reference for the utilization of blueberry leaf resources.

A polysaccharide PRCP from Rosa cymosa Tratt fruit: Structural characteristics and immunomodulatory effects via MAPK pathway modulation in vitro

The Rosa cymosa Tratt, an herbal plant from the Rosaceae family, has historically been valued in China for its medicinal and edible properties. In this study, a novel polysaccharide from R. cymosa fruit, termed PRCP (purified R. cymosa polysaccharide), was isolated using water extraction, decolorization, deproteinization, and ion-exchange chromatography. The structural characteristics of PRCP were investigated using monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation, GPC, FTIR, CD, and NMR spectroscopy. The immunomodulatory effect and potential mechanism of PRCP were evaluated in vitro using a macrophage cell model. Results indicated that PRCP (37.28 kDa) is a highly branched polysaccharide (72.61 %) primarily composed of arabinogalactan, rhamnogalacturonan, and galactoglucan domains with 13 types of glycosidic linkage fragments. Furthermore, PRCP appears to modulate immunomodulatory effects by influencing the phosphorylation of P38 and JNK proteins in the MAPK pathway. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of PRCP as a promising natural functional food ingredient for immunostimulation.

Corrosion inhibition activity of a natural polysaccharide from Dysosma versipellis using tailor-made deep eutectic solvents

In this work, a total of 18 types of choline chloride, betaine, and L-proline-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized to determine the extraction yield of a natural polysaccharide (PSA) from Dysosma versipellis using an ultrasound-assisted extraction method. Results indicate that the choline-oxalic acid-based DES has the best extraction yield for PSA due to the proper physical-chemical properties between PSA and DES. To evaluate the optimal extraction conditions, a response surface methodology was carried out. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction yield of PSA reaches 10.37 % (± 0.03 %), higher than the conventional extraction methods. Findings from FT-IR and NMR suggest that the extracted PSA belongs to a neutral polysaccharide with (1 → 6)-linked α-d-glucopyranose in the main chain. Interestingly, results from various electrochemical measurements show the extracted PSA exhibits excellent corrosion inhibition performance for mild steel (MS) in a 0.5 M HCl solution, with 90.8 % of maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency at 210 mg L-1. SEM and XPS measurements reveal the formation of a protective layer on the MS surface. The adsorption behaviour of extracted PSA well obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm containing the chemisorption and physisorption. Additionally, theoretical calculations validate the experimental findings.

Extracellular matrix-mimetic immunomodulatory fibrous scaffold based on a peony stamens polysaccharide for accelerated wound healing

Re-establishment of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in wound tissue is critical for activating endogenous tissue repair. In this study, we designed an ECM-like scaffold material using plant polysaccharides and assessed its efficacy through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The scaffold accelerates wound healing by regulating inflammatory responses and accelerating tissue regeneration. Briefly, we isolated two polysaccharides of varying molecular weights from peony stamens. One of the polysaccharides exhibits potent immunomodulatory and tissue regeneration activities. We further prepared electrospinning materials containing this polysaccharide. In vitro investigations have demonstrated the polysaccharide's ability to modulate immune responses by targeting TLR receptors. In vivo experiments utilizing a scaffold composed of this polysaccharide showed accelerated healing of full-thickness skin wounds in mice, promoting rapid tissue regeneration. In conclusion, our study shows that this scaffold can mobilize the endogenous regenerative capacity of tissues to accelerate repair by mimicking the characteristics of ECM. The overall study has implications for the design of new, effective, and safer tissue regeneration strategies.

Structural characterization of Russula griseocarnosa polysaccharide and its improvement on hematopoietic function

The hematopoietic function of a polysaccharide derived from Russula griseocarnosa was demonstrated in K562 cells, and subsequently purified through chromatography to obtain RGP1. RGP1 is a galactan composed of 1,6-α-D-Galp as the main chain, with partial substitutions. A -CH3 substitution was detected at O-3 of 1,6-α-D-Galp. The possible branches at O-2 of 1,6-α-D-Galp was α-L-Fucp. In mice with cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced hematopoietic dysfunction, RGP1 alleviated bone marrow damage and multinucleated giant cell infiltration of the spleen, increased the number of long-term hematopoietic stem cells, and regulated the levels of myeloid cells in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, RGP1 promoted the differentiation of activated T cells and CD4+ T cells without affecting natural killer cells and B cells. Proteomic analysis, detection of cytokines, and western blotting revealed that RGP1 could alleviate hematopoietic dysfunction by promoting the activation of CD4+ T cells and the Janus kinase/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway. The present study provides experimental evidence to support the application of RGP1 in CTX-induced hematopoietic dysfunction.

Structural characteristics and structure-activity relationship of four polysaccharides from Lycii fructus

At present, the structure-activity relationship of polysaccharides is a common and important focus in the fields of glycobiology and carbohydrate chemistry. To better understand the effect of specific polysaccharide structures on bioactive orientation, four homogeneous polysaccharides from Lycii fructus, one neutral along with three acidic polysaccharides, were purified, structurally characterized and comparatively evaluated on the antioxidative and anti-aging activities. The GC-MS-based monosaccharide composition analysis and methylation results showed that the LFPs had similar glycosyl types but varied proportions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that LFPs consisted of arabinogalactan, rhamnogalacturonan and homogalacturonan structural domains. The results of the structure-activity relationship indicated that the antioxidative activity was positively correlated with the galacturonic acid (GalA) content, while the neutral multi-branched chains might be responsible for the anti-aging activity. This study is the first time to compare the principal structures and multiple biological activities of LFPs, which provided a reference for the industrial development and deep excavation of the health value of LFPs.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of Platycodon grandiflorum polysaccharides and evaluation of its structural, antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity

The study aimed to improve the extraction rate of Platycodon grandiflorum roots polysaccharides (PGPs) using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). A comparative analysis was undertaken to evaluate polysaccharides content, molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition, preliminary structure, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activity of UAE in comparison with heating water extraction (HWE). The optimum extraction conditions included a liquid-to-material ratio of 20 mL/g, ultrasonic power of 150 W, extraction temperature of 70 ℃, and extraction time of 20 min, resulting in a significantly greater polysaccharides (12.011 ± 0.91 %) compared to HWE (7.62 ± 0.18 %). Through Sephacryl S-100 column elution, two homogenous fraction (PGP-U extracted with UAE and PGP-H extracted with HAE) were obtained. The molecular weight of PGP-U and PGP-H was 3.14 kDa and 3.44 kDa, respectively, mainly composed of different proportions of fourteen monosaccharides. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra experiment results showed that the two polysaccharides were pyranose ring with α- and β-glycoside bond. PGP-U and PGP-H exhibited specific antioxidant activities, encompassing total reducing force, scavenging of DPPH radicals, ABTs radicals and hydroxyl radicals in vitro, along with mitigation of H2O2-induced damage in HepG2 cells. Moreover, PGP-U exerted significantly stronger inhibitory activities against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and could significantly enhances the glucose uptake capacity and intracellular glycogen content of insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2) cells.

Influence of physicochemical changes and aggregation behavior induced by ultrasound irradiation on the antioxidant effect of highland barley β-glucan

The effect of ultrasonic treatment on the structure, morphology and antioxidant activity of highland barley β-glucan (HBG) was investigated. Ultrasonic treatment for 30 min was demonstrated to improve the aqueous solubility of HBG, leading to a decrease in turbidity. Meanwhile, moderate ultrasound was found to obviously reduce the particle size distribution of HBG, and transform the entangled HBG molecules into flexible and extended chains, which reaggregated to form larger aggregates under long-time ultrasonication. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of HBG treated by ultrasonic first increased and then decreased compared to native HBG. Congo red complexation analysis indicated the existence of helix structure in HBG, which was untwisted after ultrasonic treatment. Furthermore, ultrasound treatment influenced the glucopyranose on HBG, which weakened the intramolecular hydrogen bond of HBG. The microscopic morphology showed that the spherical aggregates in native HBG solution were disaggregated and the untangled HBG chains reaggregated with excessive ultrasonication.

Recent progress in plant-derived polysaccharides with prebiotic potential for intestinal health by targeting gut microbiota: a review

Natural products of plant origin are of high interest and widely used, especially in the food industry, due to their low toxicity and wide range of bioactive properties. Compared to other plant components, the safety of polysaccharides has been generally recognized. As dietary fibers, plant-derived polysaccharides are mostly degraded in the intestine by polysaccharide-degrading enzymes secreted by gut microbiota, and have potential prebiotic activity in both non-disease and disease states, which should not be overlooked, especially in terms of their involvement in the treatment of intestinal diseases and the promotion of intestinal health. This review elucidates the regulatory effects of plant-derived polysaccharides on gut microbiota and summarizes the mechanisms involved in targeting gut microbiota for the treatment of intestinal diseases. Further, the structure-activity relationships between different structural types of plant-derived polysaccharides and the occurrence of their prebiotic activity are further explored. Finally, the practical applications of plant-derived polysaccharides in food production and food packaging are summarized and discussed, providing important references for expanding the application of plant-derived polysaccharides in the food industry or developing functional dietary supplements.

Unveiling Plant-Based Pectins: Exploring the Interplay of Direct Effects, Fermentation, and Technological Applications in Clinical Research with a Focus on the Chemical Structure

Pectin, a plant-derived polysaccharide, possesses immense technological and biological application value. Several variables influence pectin's physicochemical aspects, resulting in different fermentations, interactions with receptors, and other functional properties. Some of those variables are molecular weight, degree of methylation and blockiness, and monosaccharide composition. Cancer cell cytotoxicity, important fermentation-related byproducts, immunomodulation, and technological application were found in cell culture, animal models, and preclinical and clinical assessments. One of the greater extents of recent pectin technological usage involves nanoencapsulation methods for many different compounds, ranging from chemotherapy and immunotherapy to natural extracts from fruits and other sources. Structural modification (modified pectin) is also utilized to enhance the use of dietary fiber. Although pectin is already recognized as a component of significant importance, there is still a need for a comprehensive review that delves into its intricate relationships with biological effects, which depend on the source and structure of pectin. This review covers all levels of clinical research, including cell culture, animal studies, and clinical trials, to understand how the plant source and pectin structures influence the biological effects in humans and some technological applications of pectin regarding human health.

Isolation, Purification, and Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula and Their Anti-Tumor Bioactivity by Immunomodulation

The activity of polysaccharides is usually related to molecular weight. The molecular weight of polysaccharides is critical to their immunological effect in cancer therapy. Herein, the Codonopsis polysaccharides of different molecular weights were isolated using ultrafiltration membranes of 60- and 100-wDa molecular weight cut-off to determine the relationship between molecular weight and antitumor activities. First, three water-soluble polysaccharides CPPS-I (<60 wDa), CPPS-II (60-100 wDa), and CPPS-III (>100 wDa) from Codonopsis were isolated and purified using a combination of macroporous adsorption resin chromatography and ultrafiltration. Their structural characteristics were determined through chemical derivatization, GPC, HPLC, FT-IR, and NMR techniques. In vitro experiments indicated that all Codonopsis polysaccharides exhibited significant antitumor activities, with the tumor inhibition rate in the following order: CPPS-II > CPPS-I > CPPS-III. The treatment of CPPS-II exhibited the highest inhibition rate at a high concentration among all groups, which was almost as efficient as that of the DOX·HCL (10 μg/mL) group at 125 μg/mL concentration. Notably, CPPS-II demonstrated the ability to enhance NO secretion and the antitumor ability of macrophages relative to the other two groups of polysaccharides. Finally, in vivo experiments revealed that CPPS-II increased the M1/M2 ratio in immune system regulation and that the tumor inhibition effect of CPPS-II + DOX was superior to that of DOX monotherapy, implying that CPPS-II + DOX played a synergistic role in regulating the immune system function and the direct tumor-killing ability of DOX. Therefore, CPPS-II is expected to be applied as an effective cancer treatment or adjuvant therapy.