Molecular structure, chemical properties and biological activities of Pinto bean pod polysaccharide

Non-starch polysaccharides from kidney beans: comprehensive insight into their extraction, structure and physicochemical and nutritional properties

Kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are an important legume source of carbohydrates, proteins, and bioactive molecules and thus have attracted increasing attention for their high nutritional value and sustainability. Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in kidney beans account for a high proportion and have a significant impact on their biological functions. Herein, we critically update the information on kidney bean varieties and factors that influence the physicochemical properties of carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, their extraction methods, structural characteristics, and health regulatory effects, such as the regulation of intestinal health and anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects, are also summarized. This review will provide suggestions for further investigation of the structure of kidney bean NSPs, their relationships with biological functions, and the development of NSPs as novel plant carbohydrate resources.

Comparative histological changes in the structure of the spleen and kidneys of experimental chickens exposed to the action of “Guidamis” as an adjuvant for vaccination against infectious bronchitis

The article provides a histological description of the internal organs – the spleen and kidneys of chickens exposed to the action of “Guidamis” as an adjuvant. A lysate was tested as part of a sample of the vaccine PB-07 against infectious bronchitis developed by researchers of the Department of Virology and Tumor Diseases of Birds of the Russian Agricultural Academy (Lomonosov). The experiments were carried out on Lohmann Brown chickens in the conditions of the Laishev branch of “Ak Bars” Poultry Company, the Republic of Tatarstan. The prolonged action of the vaccine against infectious bronchitis and the use of “Guidamis” as an adjuvant was manifested as an increase in the proliferation and differentiation of lymphoid tissues in the numerous lymph nodes. The use of the vaccine and the adjuvant had a weak reactogenic effect. In the spleen of control chickens, hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue cells is weakly expressed. In the periarterial zone of nodules of the thymus-dependent lymphocytes, the cell density is low. In the kidneys, for fourteen days after the vaccination against infectious bronchitis using Guidamis, the moderate granular dystrophy of the epithelium, mainly of individual distal tubules, and local moderate manifestations of edema of the capsule of the renal corpuscles were observed. In the kidneys, signs of pronounced edema of the capsule cavity, significant disturbances in the patency of the tubular network caused by swelling and partial desquamation of the epithelium, as well as the presence of epithelium and protein mass in the lumen of the tubules, were observed.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Gynura procumbens leaves by fractional precipitation

Four new polysaccharides (GPP-20, GPP-40, GPP-60 and GPP-80) were fractionated from Gynura procumbens leaves by 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% (v/v) ethanol, successively. Their physicochemical properties including the contents of neutral sugar, uronic acid and protein, as well as the monosaccharide composition were determined. In addition, the antioxidant activities of them were investigated via the reducing power assay and scavenging capacities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals, respectively. The results indicated that apart from neutral sugar, they all contained uronic acids and proteins in their structures, which were further proved by the UV-vis and FT-IR spectra. Monosaccharide composition analysis implied that they all belonged to heteropolysaccharides consisted of arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose and galacturonic acid with different types and ratios. What's more, GPP-20, GPP-40 and GPP-80 always exhibited better antioxidant activities than GPP-60 among these three antioxidant assays in vitro.

Polysaccharides from Traditional Chinese Medicines: Extraction, Purification, Modification, and Biological Activity

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to treat diseases in China for thousands of years. TCM compositions are complex, using as their various sources plants, animals, fungi, and minerals. Polysaccharides are one of the active and important ingredients of TCMs. Polysaccharides from TCMs exhibit a wide range of biological activities in terms of immunity- modifying, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor properties. With their widespread biological activities, polysaccharides consistently attract scientist's interests, and the studies often concentrate on the extraction, purification, and biological activity of TCM polysaccharides. Currently, numerous studies have shown that the modification of polysaccharides can heighten or change the biological activities, which is a new angle of polysaccharide research. This review highlights the current knowledge of TCM polysaccharides, including their extraction, purification, modification, and biological activity, which will hopefully provide profound insights facilitating further research and development.