An acidic polysaccharide (AGC3) isolated from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) suspension culture as a potential immunomodulatory nutraceutical

Effects of saponins Rb1 and Re in American ginseng combined intervention on immune system of aging model

Aging is a major risk factor for the development of many pathological processes, such as reduced immunity, cancer, cardiovascular diseases or neurodegenerative diseases, while age-related chronic diseases are the most common causes of death. This paper studies the effects of American ginseng saponin Rb1 and Re alone and combined intervention on the immune system of aging mouse models, by using 30 mg/kg Rb1, 15 mg/kg Re, and Rb1 + Re (30 mg/kg Rb1 and 15 mg/kg Re (co-intervention) was used to intervene in the aging model, and immune indicators such as thymus index, spleen index, interleukin and interferon were detected to evaluate the impact of Rb1 and Re on immune function. The results show that Rb1 and Re intervention alone can increase the spleen index by 7%-12% and the thymus index by 12%-19% in the aging model. After Rb1 or Re alone intervened, the apoptotic cells in the thymus were slightly reduced, and the proportion of apoptotic cells was reduced. The combination of Rb1 + Re can promote the thymus index and spleen index to increase by 23.40% and 25.5% respectively, which is more advantageous than Rb1 or Re alone. In addition, Rb1 and Re intervention can reduce the level of interferon INF to a level comparable to that of young mice. Rb1 + Re can not only reduce the INF content, but also reduce the TNF content. The above results show that American ginseng saponin Rb1 and Re can delay the decline of the immune system in the aging model, and the combined intervention of the two is significantly better than individual intervention in the recovery of the immune system. This paper can provide theoretical basis and data support for the development of American ginseng nutritional supplements and its application in aging groups products to improve immunity.

Regulatory Effects of Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and American ginseng Extract Formulation on Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolomics in Mice

The bioactivities of Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and American ginseng have been extensively studied and documented. However, the effects of their complexes on the structural properties of intestinal microbiota and fecal metabolism remain unclear. Therefore, this paper aims to present a preliminary study to shed light on this aspect. In this study, an immunocompromised mouse model was induced using cyclophosphamide, and Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and American ginseng extract formulation (referred to as JGGA) were administered via gavage to investigate their modulatory effects on gut microbiota and fecal metabolism in mice. The effects of JGGA on immune enhancement were explored using serum test kits, hematoxylin-eosin staining, 16SrDNA high-throughput sequencing, and UHPLC-QE-MS metabolomics. The findings revealed potential mechanisms underlying the immune-enhancing effects of JGGA. Specifically, JGGA administration resulted in an improved body weight, thymic index, splenic index, carbon scavenging ability, hypersensitivity, and cellular inflammatory factor expression levels in mice. Further analysis demonstrated that JGGA reduced the abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, while increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes. Additionally, JGGA modulated the levels of 30 fecal metabolites. These results suggest that the immune enhancement observed with JGGA may be attributed to the targeted modulation of gut microbiota and fecal metabolism, thus promoting increased immunity in the body.

Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of neutral polysaccharides from American ginseng

American ginseng, a precious classic herbal medicine, is used extensively in China for life prolongation purpose. This study aimed to elucidate the structure and anti-inflammatory activity of a neutral polysaccharide isolated from American ginseng (AGP-A). Nuclear magnetic resonance in conjunction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to analyze AGP-A's structure, whereas Raw264.7 cell and zebrafish models were employed to assess its anti-inflammatory activity. According to the results, AGP-A has a molecular weight of 5561 Da and is primarily consisted of glucose. Additionally, linear α-(1 → 4)-glucans with α-D-Glcp-(1 → 6)-α-Glcp-(1→ residues linked to the backbone at C-6 formed the backbone of AGP-A. Furthermore, AGP-A significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in Raw264.7 cell model. AGP-A in zebrafish model significantly lower the massive recruitment of neutrophils to the neuromast of the caudal lateral line. Inflammation may be relieved by the AGP-A component in American ginseng based on these results. In conclusion, our study shows the structural characterization, remarkable anti-inflammatory properties of AGP-A and its potential curative efficacy as a safe, valid natural anti-inflammatory medicine.

Three acidic polysaccharides derived from sour jujube seeds protect intestinal epithelial barrier function in LPS induced Caco-2 cell inflammation model

Normal intestinal epithelial barrier function plays a key role in the prevention of many diseases such as infectious enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, etc. In this study, three novel acidic polysaccharides ZY-2, ZY-3 and ZY-4 were isolated from sour jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. Spinosa) seeds and purified by DEAE Sephrose Fast Flow gel. The molecular weight of ZY-2, ZY-3 and ZY-4 was 7.76 kDa, 10.71 kDa and 8.31 kDa respectively, mainly composed of different proportions of mannose, rhamnose, glucose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, galactose, xylose and arabinose. ¹H NMR and Congo red experiment results showed that the three polysaccharides mainly contained both α-type and β-type glycosidic bonds with obvious triple helix structural traits. The polysaccharides could up-regulate the expression levels of occludin and ZO-1 in LPS-induced inflammation Caco-2 cells, and reduce IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α significantly. In conclusion, the acidic polysaccharides from sour jujube seeds exhibited great potential in protection intestinal epithelial barrier function through anti-inflammatory effects.

Radioprotection of deinococcal exopolysaccharide BRD125 by regenerating hematopoietic stem cells

There is a substantial need for the development of biomaterials for protecting hematopoietic stem cells and enhancing hematopoiesis after radiation damage. Bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) has been shown to be very attractive to researchers as a radioprotectant owing to its high antioxidant, anti-cancer, and limited adverse effects. In the present study, we isolated EPS from a novel strain, Deinococcus radiodurans BRD125, which produces EPS in high abundance, and investigated its applicability as a radioprotective biomaterial. We found that EPS isolated from EPS-rich D. radiodurans BRD125 (DeinoPol-BRD125) had an excellent free-radical scavenging effect and reduced irradiation-induced apoptosis. In addition, bone-marrow and spleen-cell apoptosis in irradiated mice were significantly reduced by DeinoPol-BRD125 administration. DeinoPol-BRD125 enhanced the expression of hematopoiesis-related cytokines such as GM-CSF, G-GSF, M-CSF, and SCF, thereby enhancing hematopoietic stem cells protection and regeneration. Taken together, our findings are the first to report the immunological mechanism of a novel radioprotectant, DeinoPol-BRD125, which might constitute an ideal radioprotective and radiation mitigating agent as a supplement drug during radiotherapy.

Green and Efficient Extraction of Polysaccharide and Ginsenoside from American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) by Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction and Aqueous Two-Phase System

In this study, a green and effective extraction method was proposed to extract two main compounds, ginsenosides and polysaccharides, from American ginseng by combining deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with aqueous two-phase systems. The factors of type of DESs, water content in DESs, the solid–liquid ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction time were studied in the solid–liquid extraction. Then, the aqueous two-phase system (DESs-ethylene oxide–propylene oxide (EOPO)) and salty solution exchange (EOPO-salty solution) was applied for the purification of polysaccharides. The content of the polysaccharides and ginsenosides were analyzed by the anthrone–sulfuric acid method and HPLC method, which showed that the extraction efficiency of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was better than conventional methods. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of ginseng polysaccharides and their cytotoxicity were further assayed. The advantages of the current study are that, throughout the whole extraction process, we avoided the usage of an organic reagent. Furthermore, the separated green solvent DESs and EOPO could be recovered and reused for a next cycle. Thus, this study proposed a new, green and recyclable extraction method for extracting ginsenosides and polysaccharides from American ginseng.

A review of the immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides isolated from Panax species

Panax polysaccharides are biopolymers that are isolated and purified from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of Panax L. plants, which have attracted considerable attention because of their immunomodulatory activities. In this paper, the composition and structural characteristics of purified polysaccharides are reviewed. Moreover, the immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides are described both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, Panax polysaccharides exert immunomodulatory functions mainly by activating macrophages, dendritic cells, and the complement system. In vivo, Panax polysaccharides can increase the immune organ indices and stimulate lymphocytes. In addition, this paper also discusses the membrane receptors and various signalling pathways of immune cells. Panax polysaccharides have many beneficial therapeutic effects, including enhancing or activating the immune response, and may be helpful in treating cancer, sepsis, osteoporosis, and other conditions. Panax polysaccharides have the potential for use in the development of novel therapeutic agents or adjuvants with beneficial immunomodulatory properties.

Comparisons of Isolation Methods, Structural Features, and Bioactivities of the Polysaccharides from Three Common Panax Species: A Review of Recent Progress

Panax spp. (Araliaceae family) are widely used medicinal plants and they mainly include Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Panax quinquefolium L. (American ginseng), and Panax notoginseng (notoginseng). Polysaccharides are the main active ingredients in these plants and have demonstrated diverse pharmacological functions, but comparisons of isolation methods, structural features, and bioactivities of these polysaccharides have not yet been reported. This review summarizes recent advances associated with 112 polysaccharides from ginseng, 25 polysaccharides from American ginseng, and 36 polysaccharides from notoginseng and it compares the differences in extraction, purification, structural features, and bioactivities. Most studies focus on ginseng polysaccharides and comparisons are typically made with the polysaccharides from American ginseng and notoginseng. For the extraction, purification, and structural analysis, the processes are similar for the polysaccharides from the three Panax species. Previous studies determined that 55 polysaccharides from ginseng, 18 polysaccharides from American ginseng, and 9 polysaccharides from notoginseng exhibited anti-tumor activity, immunoregulatory effects, anti-oxidant activity, and other pharmacological functions, which are mediated by multiple signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, or redox balance pathways. This review can provide new insights into the similarities and differences among the polysaccharides from the three Panax species, which can facilitate and guide further studies to explore the medicinal properties of the Araliaceae family used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Immunomodulatory effects of four polysaccharides purified from Erythronium sibiricum bulb on macrophages

Four neutral polysaccharides (ESBP1-1, ESBP1-2, ESBP2-1 and ESBP3-1) were successfully purified from the water extracted crude polysaccharides of Erythronium sibiricum bulbs through the combination of DEAE Sepharose CL-6B and Sephadex G-100 chromatography; their average molecular weights were 1.3 × 10⁴, 1.7 × 10⁴, 9.4 × 10⁵ and 4.1 × 10⁵ Da, respectively. Monosaccharide component analysis indicated that ESBP1-1 and ESBP1-2 were mainly composed of glucose (Glc). ESBP2-1 was composed of Glc, galactose (Gal) and arabinose, with a molar ratio of 24.3:1.1:1, whereas ESBP3-1 comprised Glc and Gal at a molar ratio of 14.8:1. In-vitro study showed that all of the four polysaccharides were able to considerably promote the proliferation and neutral red phagocytosis of RAW 264.7 macrophage cell. They could also stimulate the production of the cell lines' secretory molecules [nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] in a dose-dependent manner. However, ESBP1-2 was not included in IL-1β. Overall, these results suggested that polysaccharides from E. sibiricum bulbs can be developed as immunomodulatory ingredients for complementary medicines or functional foods. However, further animal or clinical studies are required.

Panax quinquefolius (North American Ginseng) Polysaccharides as Immunomodulators: Current Research Status and Future Directions

Panax quinquefolius (North American ginseng, NAG) is a popular medicinal plant used widely in traditional medicine. NAG products are currently available in various forms such as roots, extracts, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, energy drinks, etc. NAG polysaccharides are recognized as one of the major bioactive ingredients. However, most NAG reviews are focused on ginsenosides with little information on polysaccharides. NAG polysaccharides have demonstrated a therapeutic activity in numerous studies, in which many of the bioactivities involve regulation of the immune response. The purpose of this review is to summarize the structural features and the immunomodulatory properties of crude, partially purified, and pure polysaccharides isolated from NAG. Receptors of the innate immune system that potentially bind to NAG polysaccharides and the respective signal transduction pathways initiated by these compounds are discussed. Major challenges, recent innovations, and future directions in NAG polysaccharide research are also summarized.

Insight into anti-oxidative carbohydrate polymers from medicinal plants: Structure-activity relationships, mechanism of actions and interactions with bovine serum albumin

Recently, research associated with natural anti-oxidants leads to the chemical characterization of many compounds possessing strong anti-oxidant activity. Among these anti-oxidants, naturally occurring carbohydrate polymers containing pectic arabinogalactans esterified with phenolic acids in monomeric and dimeric forms are noteworthy. The presence of highly branched arabinogalactan type II side chains and sugar linked phenolic acid residues have been resolved as important parameters. The anti-oxidant activity of these compounds depend on their ability to convert free radicals into stable by-products and themselves oxidized to more stable and less reactive resonance stabilized radicals. Moreover, these carbohydrate polymers form water soluble stable complexes with protein. Such findings support their applications in a diversity of fields including food industry and pharmacy. This review highlights experimental evidences supporting that the carbohydrate polymers containing phenolic polysaccharides may become promising drug candidate for the prevention of aging and age related diseases.