Hypolipidemic effect of the polysaccharides extracted from pumpkin by cellulase-assisted method on mice

Study on the mechanisms by which pumpkin polysaccharides regulate abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic mice under oxidative stress

Pumpkin polysaccharide (PPe-H) can perform physiological functions through its antioxidative and hypoglycemic effects; however, the mechanisms through which PPe-H regulates abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism caused by oxidative stress injury remain unclear. In the present study, streptozotocin was used to generate an acute diabetic mouse model, and the effects of PPe-H on glucose and lipid metabolism impaired by oxidative stress in diabetic mice were studied. PPe-H significantly reduced blood glucose levels and enhanced the oral glucose tolerance of diabetic mice under stress injury (p < 0.05). The analysis of liver antioxidant enzymes showed that PPe-H significantly enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT (p < 0.05), increased the GSH level, and decreased the level of MDA (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the liver tissues of mice revealed characteristic differences in the genetic and metabolic levels of the samples, which showed that PPe-H treatment may play a positive role in regulating the metabolism of methionine, cysteine, glycerol phospholipid, and linoleic acid. These results indicated that PPe-H alleviated the symptoms of hyperglycemia by regulating metabolites related to oxidative stress and glycolipid metabolism in diabetic mice.

Gougunao tea polysaccharides ameliorate high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia and modulate gut microbiota

Many natural polysaccharides have been proven to have ameliorative effects on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia with fewer side effects. However, similar data on Gougunao tea polysaccharides remain obscure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Gougunao tea polysaccharides (GTP40) in the alleviation of hyperlipidemia and regulation of gut microbiota in C57BL/6J mice induced by a high-fat diet. The results indicated that GTP40 intervention inhibited the abnormal growth of body weight and the excessive accumulation of lipid droplets in the livers and ameliorated the biochemical parameters of serum/liver related to lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemia mice. The elevated levels of antioxidant enzyme and anti-inflammation cytokine in serum, as well as the up-regulating anti-inflammation gene in the liver, reflected that GTP40 might mitigate the oxidative and inflammatory stress induced by a high-fat diet. In addition, GTP40 could modulate the composition, abundance, and diversity of gut microbiota in hyperlipidemia mice. Besides, Spearman's correlation analysis implied that GTP40 intervention could enrich beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Roseburia, and Alistipes), and decrease harmful bacteria (e.g., Blautia, Faecalibaculum, Streptococcus, and norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae), which were correlated with the lipid metabolic parameters associated with hyperlipidemia. Moreover, it also indicated that there was a significant correlation between gut microbiota and SCFAs. Thus, GTP40 may be a novel strategy against fat accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as restoring the normal microbial balance of the gut in hyperlipidemia mice.

A review on biochemical constituents of pumpkin and their role as pharma foods; a key strategy to improve health in post COVID 19 period

Progression of today’s world has been given setback due to the adversity of a novel, viral, deadly outbreak COVID 19, which raised the concerns of the scientists, researchers and health related officials about the inherent and adaptive immune system of the living body and its relation with healthy diet balanced with pharma foods. Now world is coming out of the destructive pandemic era, the choice of right food can help to build and boost adaptive immunity and pumpkin due to excellent profile of functional and nutraceutical constituents could be the part of both infected and non-infected person’s daily diet. Vitamins like A, C and E, minerals like zinc, iron and selenium, essential oils, peptides, carotenoids and polysaccharides present in pumpkin could accommodate the prevailing deficiencies in the body to fought against the viral pathogens. In current post COVID 19 scenario adequate supply of healthy diet, balanced with pharma foods could play a basic role in boosting immune system of the populations. This review covers the pharmacological activities of pumpkin functional constituents in relation with COVID 19 pandemic. Pumpkins are well equipped with nutraceuticals and functional bioactives like tocopherols, polyphenols, terpenoids and lutein therefore, consumption and processing of this remarkable vegetable could be encouraged as pharma food due to its antihyperlipidemic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. Need of healthy eating in current post COVID 19 period is very crucial for healthy population, and medicinal foods like pumpkin could play a vital role in developing a healthy community around the globe.

The Therapeutic Potential of Plant Polysaccharides in Metabolic Diseases

Plant polysaccharides (PPS) composed of more than 10 monosaccharides show high safety and various pharmacological activities, including immunoregulatory, antitumor, antioxidative, antiaging, and other effects. In recent years, emerging evidence has indicated that many PPS are beneficial for metabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, obesity, and neurological diseases, which are usually caused by the metabolic disorder of fat, sugar, and protein. In this review, we introduce the common characteristics and functional activity of many representative PPS, emphasize the common risks and molecular mechanism of metabolic diseases, and discuss the pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of representative PPS obtained from plants including Aloe vera, Angelica sinensis, pumpkin, Lycium barbarum, Ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, Dioscorea pposite, Poria cocos, and tea in metabolic diseases. Finally, this review will provide directions and a reference for future research and for the development of PPS into potential drugs for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Polymeric Compounds of Lingonberry Waste: Characterization of Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Polysaccharides and Polyphenol-Polysaccharide Conjugates from Vaccinium vitis-idaea Press Cake

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) fruits are important Ericaceous berries to include in a healthy diet of the Northern Hemisphere as a source of bioactive phenolics. The waste generated by the V. vitis-idaea processing industry is hard-skinned press cake that can be a potential source of dietary fiber and has not been studied thus far. In this study, water-soluble polysaccharides of V. vitis-idaea press cake were isolated, separated, and purified by ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The results of elemental composition, monosaccharide analysis, ultraviolet–visible and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, molecular weight determination, linkage analysis, and alkaline destruction allowed us to characterize two polyphenol–polysaccharide conjugates (PPC) as neutral arabinogalactans cross-linked with monomeric and dimeric hydroxycinnamate residues with molecular weights of 108 and 157 kDa and two non-esterified galacturonans with molecular weights of 258 and 318 kDa. A combination of in vitro and in vivo assays confirmed that expressed antioxidant activity of PPC was due to phenolic-scavenged free radicals, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and chelate ferrous ions. Additionally, marked hypolipidemic potential of both PPC and acidic polymers bind bile acids, cholesterol, and fat, inhibit pancreatic lipase in the in vitro study, reduce body weight, serum level of cholesterol, triglycerides, low/high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol, and malondialdehyde, and increase the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in the livers of hamsters with a 1% cholesterol diet. Polysaccharides and PPC of V. vitis-idaea fruit press cake can be regarded as new antioxidants and hypolipidemic agents that can be potentially used to cure hyperlipidemic metabolic disorders.

In Vitro Role of Pumpkin Parts as Pharma-Foods: Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Activities of Pumpkin Peel, Flesh, and Seed Powders, in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Pumpkin is a well-known vegetable, among the members of Cucurbitaceae family, due to its importance as pharma food. Keeping in view the antidiabetic and plasma lipids lowering potential of pumpkin, the present study was conducted to investigate that, which part of pumpkin (peel, flesh, and seeds), possess more bioactive compounds, exhibiting antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potential. Albino rats with 190-210 g body weight were divided into 11 groups. Five rats were included in each group; group A was negative control, group B was positive control, and groups C to K were diabetic rats fed with pumpkin peel, flesh, and seed powders. Diabetes was induced in rats with the help of alloxan monohydrate. During 28 days of experimental period, blood glucose level of different rat's groups was checked with the help of glucometer, at every 7 days interval and at the end of 28 days study, plasma lipids were checked with the help of commercial kits. A significant decrease in blood glucose level (128.33 ± 1.67 mg/dl), TC (88.43 ± 0.66 mg/dl), TG (69.79 ± 0.49 mg/dl), and LDL-C (21.45 ± 0.08 mg/dl) was recorded in rat groups fed with 15 g pumpkin seed powder, at the end of study. After pumpkin seeds, second significant antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effect was recorded in rat's groups fed with 15 g pumpkin peel powder. Pumpkin flesh powder effect in lowering blood glucose level and plasma lipids was less significant as compared to seeds and peel powder. As the dose of the pumpkin powders was increased from 5 to 10 and then 15 g, the blood glucose-lowering and plasma lipid-lowering effect became more significant. Similarly, as the experimental duration was expanded from first week to 28 days, this antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effect became more significant. These results were sufficient to conclude that pumpkin has high potential to be used in human diet to cope with noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

Structural Characterization and Hypoglycemic Activity of a Novel Pumpkin Peel Polysaccharide-Chromium(III) Complex

The aim of our study was to synthesize a pumpkin peel polysaccharide (PPP)-Cr(III) complex and investigate its hypoglycemic activity. Firstly, a novel PPP-Cr(III) complex with a Cr content of 23.77 mg/g was synthesized and characterized. Physicochemical characterization indicated that PPP-Cr(III) had some changes in chemical composition, monosaccharide composition, and morphological structure compared with PPP. The molecular weights of PPP-Cr(III) and PPP were 1.398 × 106 g/mol and 3.386 × 106 g/mol, respectively, showing a lower molecular weight after the introduction of Cr(III). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that a new characteristic absorption peak of Cr-O appeared at 534 cm-1 in PPP-Cr(III), indicating that Cr(III) was successfully complexed with PPP. Secondly, the hypoglycemic activity of PPP-Cr(III) based on α-glucosidase inhibitory and insulin resistance (IR)-HepG2 cells was evaluated. Compared with PPP, PPP-Cr(III) exhibited a more significantly α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The IR-HepG2 cells confirmed an obvious increase in glucose consumption. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the treated IR-HepG2 cells were able to increase the protein levels of p-AMPK and p-GSK-3β, indicating that IR-HepG2 cells exerted hypoglycemic activity via the AMPK/GSK-3β signaling pathway. These results suggested that PPP-Cr(III) had good hypoglycemic activity, which could provide theoretical support for the development of novel hypoglycemic products.

Chitosan Microparticles Loaded with New Non-Cytotoxic Isoniazid Derivatives for the Treatment of Tuberculosis: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Lately, in the world of medicine, the use of polymers for the development of innovative therapies seems to be a major concern among researchers. In our case, as a continuation of the research that has been developed so far regarding obtaining new isoniazid (INH) derivatives for tuberculosis treatment, this work aimed to test the ability of the encapsulation method to reduce the toxicity of the drug, isoniazid and its new derivatives. To achieve this goal, the following methods were applied: a structural confirmation of isoniazid derivatives using LC-HRMS/MS; the obtaining of microparticles based on polymeric support; the determination of their loading and biodegradation capacities; in vitro biocompatibility using MTT cell viability assays; and, last but not least, in vivo toxicological screening for the determination of chronic toxicity in laboratory mice, including the performance of a histopathological study and testing for liver enzymes. The results showed a significant reduction in tissue alterations, the disappearance of cell necrosis and microvesicular steatosis areas and lower values of the liver enzymes TGO, TGP and alkaline phosphatase when using encapsulated forms of drugs. In conclusion, the encapsulation of INH and INH derivatives with chitosan had beneficial effects, suggesting a reduction in hepatotoxicity and, therefore, the achievement of the aim of this paper.

A comprehensive review on polysaccharides with hypolipidemic activity: Occurrence, chemistry and molecular mechanism

Currently, research on natural products is facing challenging future in various aspects. A large group of natural polysaccharides such as β-glucan, cellulose, hemicellulose, chitin, pectin, agaropectin, heteroglycans, lignins, hydrocolloids, homopolysaccharides, heteropolysaccharides were studied extensively for their various therapeutical potential. Several research works have already demonstrated those polysaccharides has tremendous health benefits, and found to exhibit anticancer, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant and antitumor activities. Different mushroom, plant, fungus, algae, vegetables, microalgae etc. are some important source of several polysaccharide macromolecules such as glucans, ulvan A, ulvan B, fucoidan, rhamnan sulfate, laminarin sulfate, agar, alginate, heteroglycans. Earlier research work demonstrated that natural polysaccharides have the highest ability to carry biological properties along with some biopolymers like as proteins and nucleic acids due to their structural variability. The preventive effect of these biomacromolecules was extensively studied, especially their beneficial effect on chronic metabolic conditions like dyslipidemia and related disorders. Dyslipidemia is a serious metabolic disorder associated with coronary heart disease, coronary artery diseases, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, etc. Dietary natural polysaccharides could play an important role in the management and prevention of dyslipidemia. Polysaccharides from natural sources mainly sulfated polysaccharides exhibited predominant lipid-lowering and cholesterol-lowering activities through different mechanisms. Polysaccharides isolated from different edible plants, vegetables, plant, algae, mushroom with higher biological activities, particularly hypolipidemic activity were highlighted in this paper, in a way for their futuristic therapeutic application. This review aims to comprehensively discuss overall advances in hypolipidemic activity of polysaccharides, including their sources, structural characteristic and chemistry, biological activity and their probable mode of action.

Holistic review of polysaccharides isolated from pumpkin: Preparation methods, structures and bioactivities

Pumpkin polysaccharides have arrested researchers' attention in fields of food supplements for healthy product and traditional Chinese medicine due to their multiple bioactivities with non-toxic and highly biocompatible. This review emphatically summarized recent progresses in the primary and spatial structural features, various bioactivities, structure-to-function associations, different preparation techniques, and absorption characteristics across intestinal epithelial and in vivo bio-distribution of pumpkin polysaccharides. Additionally, current challenges and future trends in development of pumpkin polysaccharides were pointed out. We found that pumpkin polysaccharides were primary structure (e.g. glucan, galactoglucan, galactomannan, galactan, homogalacturonan (HG), and rhamnogalacturonan-Ι (RG-Ι)) and special structure diverse (e.g. hollow helix, linear, and sphere-like) and significant functional foods or therapeutic agents (e.g. oral hypoglycemic agents). Moreover, we found that the molecular weight (Mw), uronic acid, linkage types, and modifications all could affect their bioactivities (e.g. anti-oxidant, anti-coagulant, and anti-diabetic activities), and pumpkin polysaccharides may across intestinal epithelial into the blood reaching to target organs. Collectively, the structures diversity and pharmacological values of pumpkin polysaccharides support their therapeutic potentials and sanitarian functions.

A water-soluble polysaccharide from Anethum graveolens seeds: Structural characterization, antioxidant activity and potential use as meat preservative

A novel water-soluble polysaccharide named AGP1 was successfully isolated from seeds of Anethum graveolens by hot water extraction and further purified by DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. AGP1 has a relative molecular weight of 2.1 10⁴ Da determined by Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The AGP1 characterization was investigated by chemical and instrumental analysis including gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results showed that AGP1 was mainly composed of glucose, galactose, mannose and arabinose in a molar percent of 54.3, 23.8, 14.7 and 7.2, respectively. The thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used and showed that AGP1 has good thermal stability until 275 °C. Moreover, the purified polysaccharide demonstrated an appreciable in vitro antioxidant potential. The addition of the AGP1, particularly at 0.3% (w/w), in turkey sausages instead of ascorbic acid, as preservative, reduced the lipid peroxidation, preserved the pH and color and improved the bacterial stability during cold storage at 4 °C for 12 days. Overall, the results showed that the AGP1 deserves to be developed as functional and bioactive components for the food and nutraceutical industries.

Effects of Agaricus blazei Murrill polysaccharides on hyperlipidemic rats by regulation of intestinal microflora

The present research envisaged the effects of Agaricus blazei Murrill polysaccharides (ABPs) on blood lipids and its role in regulation of the intestinal microflora in hyperlipidemic rats. The acidic polysaccharide fraction of Agaricus blazei Murrill was obtained by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange column chromatography. The sugar content of ABP was 75.1%. Compared with the model group (MG), the serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels decreased (p < .05 or p < .01) and the HDL-C levels increased (p < .01) significantly in the ABP group. Expression of CYP7A1 was up-regulated (p < .01), and that of SREBP-1C (p < .05) was down-regulated significantly in the liver tissue of rats in the ABP group. Additionally, the disordered hepatic lobules and the steatosis of hepatocytes were found to be significantly alleviated in the ABP group. We believe that ABP can reduce the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and reduce the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae_unclassified, and Ruminococcaceae, increasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Clostridium_sensu_stricto, Allobaculum, Peptostreptococcaceae, Clostridiaceae_1, and Erysipelotrichaceae as targets to regulate blood lipids. The results showed ABP could regulate the dyslipidemia in rats with hyperlipidemia. The mechanism may be through the regulation of the imbalance of intestinal microflora induced by the high-fat diet in rats, which may be one of the important ways of its intervention on the dyslipidemia induced by high-fat diet.

Study on physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Desmodesmus armatus

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of Desmodesmus armatus polysaccharides (DAP) were studied. They were extracted by microwave-assisted constant temperature extraction and purification by DEAE-cellulose 52. Four eluents of water (DAP1), 0.25 mol/L NaCl (DAP2), 0.5 mol/L NaCl (DAP3), and 1.0 mol/L NaCl (DAP4) were collected. Four polysaccharides fractions were analyzed, and they were all composed of mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, arabinose, and fucose. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis showed that the four polysaccharides fractions have a uniform molecular weight distribution. Scanning electron microscope showed that DAP1 had a dense structure and a smooth but uneven surface, while DAP2, DAP3, and DAP4 were amorphous solids in sheets. Oxidation in vitro experiments showed that DAP2 and DAP3 had scavenging effects on ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the determination of the antioxidant activity, it was found that the antioxidative activity of the polysaccharide of Desmodesmus armatus measured was significantly stronger than the crude polysaccharide of other microalgae. After the polysaccharide was purified, two polysaccharide fractions (DAP2 and DAP3) of Desmodesmus armatus were found to have strong scavenging ability to ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals. They can be regarded as a new type of antioxidant, and the differences in the physicochemical properties between the parts can provide a preliminary explanation for the differences in antioxidant activity. But the connection between them needs further analysis. The Desmodesmus armatus used in the experiment is easy to cultivate and easy to obtain, which greatly increases its applicability. This research opens up new possibilities for the development of antioxidants and provides favorable evidence for the use of Desmodesmus armatus in food and feed.

Rethinking the impact of RG-I mainly from fruits and vegetables on dietary health

Rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) pectin is composed of backbone of repeating disaccharide units →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→ and neutral sugar side-chains mainly consisting of arabinose and galactose having variable types of linkages. However, since traditional pectin extraction methods damages the RG-I structure, the characteristics and health effects of RG-I remains unclear. Recently, many studies have focused on RG-I, which is often more active than the homogalacturonan (HG) portion of pectic polysaccharides. In food products, RG-I is common to fruits and vegetables and possesses many health benefits. This timely and comprehensive review describes the many different facets of RG-I, including its dietary sources, history, metabolism and potential functionalities, all of which have been compiled to establish a platform for taking full advantage of the functional value of RG-I pectin.

Hypolipidemic effect of polysaccharides from Fortunella margarita (Lour.) Swingle in hyperlipidemic rats

The objective was to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of polysaccharides from Fortunellamargarita (Lour.) Swingle (FMPS) in hyperlipidemic rats and the comparative relationship between in vitro and in vivo. After FMPS feeding, the body weight, liver and spleen index of the hyperlipidemic rats decreased significantly, in a dose-dependent manner. The content of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and serum non-esterified fatty acid decreased, and high density lipoprotein, and serum lipase significantly increased after FMPS feeding in hyperlipidemic rats. Notably, high-dose FMPS, exhibited effective hypolipidemic activity, as compared with that of simvastatin. Moreover, histopathological micrographs of hepatic tissue and blood vessel morphology indicated that the fat deposition in liver cells decreased, and the vascular endothelial cells were protected by FMPS. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were enhanced, and the content of malondialdehyde was decreased by FMPS feeding in the hyperlipidemic rats. A concentration-dependent response was observed. Similarly to the hypolipidemic effect observed in vitro, the hypolipidemic effect of FMPS in hyperlipidemic rats was achieved by decreasing the lipid content and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, FMPS had a major role in regulating the lipid metabolism disorder in hyperlipidemic rats.

Polysaccharides derived from natural sources regulate triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism: a review of the mechanisms

This paper presents a comprehensive review of hypolipidemic mechanism of polysaccharides from natural sources.

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic properties of peach gum polysaccharides

Hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia are major risk factors for coronary artery diseases and atherosclerosis. Peach gum polysaccharides (PGPs) possess various bioactivities. In this study, PGPs were extracted with thermostable α-amylase and investigated in terms of hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic activities. KKAy mice were gavaged once daily with either PGPs or distilled water (control group) for 3 weeks. Oral administration of PGPs decreased the levels of serum triglyceride, cholesterol low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, C-peptide, and HbAlc in mice. Moreover, treatment with PGPs increased the insulin sensitivity index in KKAy mice. Results indicated that PGPs possess significant hypoglycaemic effects and could be developed as a drug for preventing hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Network Pharmacology Studies on the Bioactive Compounds and Action Mechanisms of Natural Products for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a kind of chronic and metabolic disease, which can cause a number of diseases and severe complications. Network pharmacology approach is introduced to study DM, which can combine the drugs, target proteins and disease and form drug-target-disease networks. Network pharmacology has been widely used in the studies of the bioactive compounds and action mechanisms of natural products for the treatment of DM due to the multi-components, multi-targets, and lower side effects. This review provides a balanced and comprehensive summary on network pharmacology from current studies, highlighting different bioactive constituents, related databases and applications in the investigations on the treatment of DM especially type 2. The mechanisms related to type 2 DM, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory, targeting β cell dysfunction, AMPK signal pathway and PI3K/Akt signal pathway are summarized and critiqued. It suggests that the network pharmacology approach cannot only provide a new research paradigm for natural products, but also improve the current antidiabetic drug discovery strategies. Furthermore, we put forward the perspectives on the reasonable applications of network pharmacology for the therapy of DM and related drug discovery.

Structural characterization and hypolipidemic effect of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharide in rat

Polysaccharide is one of the important active ingredients of Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja leaves. The aims of this work were to analyze the structure of the polysaccharide of Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja leaves (CPP), and to investigate the antihyperlipidemic effect of CPP on high-fat emulsion (HFE)-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. CPP, comprised of two polysaccharides with average molecular weight (Mw) of 1.35×10(5)Da and 9.34×10(3)Da, was consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose and galactose in the molar ratio of 1.00:2.23:0.64:0.49:0.63:4.16. Oral administration of CPP could significantly decrease levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), increase high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in hyperlipidemic rats. CPP exerts therapeutic effects on hyperlipidaemic rats, by up-regulating expressions of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), via down-regulating fatty acid synthase (FAS) and hydroxy methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA). This study demonstrates that CPP may be beneficial for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Anti-diabetic polysaccharides from natural sources: A review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease attracted worldwide concerns, which severely impairs peoples' quality of life and is attributed to several life-threatening complications, including atherosclerosis, nephropathy and retinopathy. The current therapies for DM include mainly oral anti-diabetic drugs and insulin. However, continuous use of these causes insulin resistance and side-effects, and the demand of effective, nontoxic and affordable drugs for DM patients is eager. Several previous studies have shown that non-toxic biological macromolecules, mainly polysaccharides, possess prominent efficacies on DM. Based on these encouraging observations, a great deal of efforts have been focused on discovering anti-diabetic polysaccharides for the development of effective therapeutics for DM. This review focuses on the advancements in the anti-diabetic efficacy of various natural polysaccharides and polysaccharide complexes from 2010 to 2015.