Extraction, characterization, and biological activity of polysaccharides from Sophora flavescens Ait

The traditional use, structure, and immunostimulatory activity of bioactive polysaccharides from traditional Chinese root medicines: A review

As research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has expanded, our understanding of the role it can have in controlling the immune system has increased. Polysaccharides from medicinal plants exhibit numerous beneficial therapeutic properties, presumably owing to their modulation of innate immunity and macrophage function. Numerous studies have demonstrated the multiple ways whereby certain polysaccharides can affect the immune system. In addition to stimulating immune cells, such as T cells, B lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells, polysaccharides stimulate complements and increase cytokine secretion. The biological functions of polysaccharides are directly correlated with their structures. This paper summarizes the sources, TCM uses, extraction and purification methods, structural characterization, in vitro and in vivo immune activities, and underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM root polysaccharides. Moreover, the structure-activity relationships of TCM root polysaccharides are emphasized and discussed. This review can provide a scientific basis for the research and industrial utilization of TCM root polysaccharides.

Optimization and Physicochemical Characterization of Polysaccharide Purified from Sonneratia caseolaris Mangrove Leaves: a Potential Antioxidant and Antibiofilm Agent

The Box-Behnken design was applied to determine the optimal parameters of the extraction condition by using the response surface methodology (RSM) from the leaves of Sonneratia caseolaris L. The result indicates the best-optimized conditions used for the extraction of polysaccharides at 84.02 °C temperature, 3.12 h time, and 27.31 mL/g for the water-to-material ratio. The maximum experimental yield of 8.81 ± 0.09% was obtained which is in agreement with the predicted value of 8.79%. Thereafter, low molecular weight polysaccharide (SCLP) was separated after sequentially being purified through column chromatography with a relative molecular weight of 3.74 kDa. The physicochemical properties were evaluated by characterization techniques such as FT-IR spectra, NMR spectrum, and SEM analysis. RP-HPLC analysis confirmed that SCLP was a heteropolysaccharide, majorly comprising rhamnose (28.25%), and xylose (27.17%) residues, followed by mannose (18.90%), and galactose (17.17%), respectively. Thermal analysis (TGA-DSC) results showed that SCLP is a highly thermostable polymer with a degradation temperature of 361.63 °C. X-ray diffraction patterns and tertiary structure analyses indicate that SCLP had a semi-crystalline polymer having a triple-helical configuration. Moreover, SCLP displayed potential antibiofilm ability for all the tested pathogens while stronger activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, SCLP has potential in vitro antioxidant activity on DPPH, ABTS radical, superoxide, and Fe2+ chelating. These findings indicate that the polysaccharide has potentially been used in functional food, cosmetics, and pharmacological industries.

The Separation, Purification, Structure Identification, and Antioxidant Activity of Elaeagnus umbellata Polysaccharides

In order to investigate the antioxidant activity of Elaeagnus umbellata polysaccharides, the physicochemical characteristics of purified Elaeagnus umbellata polysaccharides (EUP, consisting of two fractions, EUP1 and EUP2) were investigated using UV spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). This revealed that EUP1 and EUP2 were acidic polysaccharides with an average molecular weight (MW) of 63 and 38 kDa, respectively. EUP1 mainly consisted of L-rhamnose and D-galactose in a molar ratio of 2.05:1, and EUP2 consisted of D-mannose, L-rhamnose, D-galactose, and D-arabinose in a molar ratio of 2.06:1:2.78:1. Furthermore, EUP exhibited considerable antioxidant potential for scavenging hydroxyl, superoxide anion, DPPH, and ABTS radicals. Therefore, EUP can be developed as a potential antioxidant for the functional food or pharmaceutical field.

Structural characterization and immunoregulatory activity of a novel acidic polysaccharide from Scapharca subcrenata

A novel acidic polysaccharide named SSPA50-1 was isolated from Scapharca subcrenata using a simulated gastric fluid extraction method. SSPA50-1 is a heteropolysaccharide with an average molecular weight of 44.7 kDa that is composed of galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, mannose, ribose, rhamnose, fucose, xylose and arabinose at a molar ratio of 1.00:5.40:9.04:3.10:1.59:4.01:2.10:2.21:2.28. The structural characterization based on the methylation and 1D/2D NMR analyses indicated that SSPA50-1 is composed of →3)-β-L-Rhap-(1→, →3)-β-L-2-O-Me-Fucp-(1→, →2)-α-D-Xylp-(1→, →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →3,4)-β-D-Manp-(1→, →3,4)-β-D-Galp-(1→, β-D-Ribf-(1→, α-D-Glcp-(1→, and α-D-GalAp6Me-(1→. Furthermore, SSPA50-1 possessed potent immunoregulatory activity by enhancing the phagocytosis and NO, iNOS, TNF-α and IL-6 secretion capacity of RAW264.7 cells. Otherwise, SSPA50-1 significantly promoted the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages. These results indicated that SSPA50-1 could be developed as a potential ingredient for immunostimulatory agents.

Chemical diversity, biological activities and Traditional uses of and important Chinese herb Sophora

BACKGROUND

Sophora flavescens Aiton (SF), also known as Kushen (Chinese:), has been an important species in Chinese medicine since the Qin and Han dynasties. It is also recognized as a plant resource suitable for the globalization of Chinese medicine. Traditionally, it has been used in various ethnic medical systems in East Asia, especially in China, to kill insects and dispel dampness. Sophora flavescens is commonly used for clearing heat-clearing, killing worms, and diuretic. Nowdays, accumulating studies demonstrated its anticancer and cardioprotection.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW

This paper aims to systematically review information on the genus, pharmacological and toxicological significance, chemical composition and biological activity of Sophora flavescens. To promoting its development and application. To summarize recent findings regarding to the metabolism, pharmacological/toxicological effects of Sophora flavescens.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Online academic databases (including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and CNKI) were searched using search terms of "Sophora flavescens Aiton", "Ku shen", "Pharmacology", "Active ingredient", "Toxicology" and combinations to include published studies of Sophora flavescens Aiton primarily from 1970-2021. Several critical previous studies beyond this period were also included and other related terms.

CONCLUSION

Sophora flavescens has a broad spectrum of biological activities associated with Sophora flavescens has been considered a valuable resource in both traditional and modern medicine. However, there is a lack of in-depth studies on the medicinal uses of Sophora flavescens. Moreover, further studies on single chemical components should be conducted based on the diversity of chemical structures, significant biological activities and clinical applications. The discovery of its bioactive molecules and multi-component interactions would be of great importance for the clinical application of Sophora flavescens spp. Detailed pharmacological and toxicological studies on the classic prescriptions of Sophora flavescens are also needed. It is more beneficial to the wide application of SF plant and facilitates the worldwide promotion of modern Chinese medicine. However, an increasing number of reports indicate that the administration of Sophora flavescens has serious adverse effects. Its main toxic effects are neurotoxicity and acute toxicity, which have caused widespread concern worldwide. In addition, the alkaloids of Sophora flavescens are distributed in the heart, liver, stomach and large intestine. They are excreted from the body through gluconeogenesis, which is the mode of action of certain therapeutic mechanisms of action such as anticancer. The detailed metabolic study of alkaloids and other components of Sophora flavescens in vivo needs to be further investigated. It is important to improve the pharmacological effects and reduce the toxicity of Sophora flavescens. For this purpose, structural modification of active components of Sophora flavescens or combination with other drugs is very essential.

Bioactive Carbohydrate Polymers-Between Myth and Reality

Polysaccharides are complex macromolecules long regarded as energetic storage resources or as components of plant and fungal cell walls. They have also been described as plant mucilages or microbial exopolysaccharides. The development of glycosciences has led to a partial and difficult deciphering of their other biological functions in living organisms. The objectives of glycobiochemistry and glycobiology are currently to correlate some structural features of polysaccharides with some biological responses in the producing organisms or in another one. In this context, the literature focusing on bioactive polysaccharides has increased exponentially during the last two decades, being sometimes very optimistic for some new applications of bioactive polysaccharides, notably in the medical field. Therefore, this review aims to examine bioactive polysaccharide, taking a critical look of the different biological activities reported by authors and the reality of the market. It focuses also on the chemical, biochemical, enzymatic, and physical modifications of these biopolymers to optimize their potential as bioactive agents.

Poplar bark lipids enhance mouse immunity by inducing T cell proliferation and differentiation

Research on the composition and application of immune enhancers in livestock and poultry breeding has been gaining interest in recent years. Poplar bark lipids (PBLs), which are extracted from poplar tree bark, are natural substances known to efficiently enhance the immune response. To understand the chemical makeup of PBLs and their underlying mechanism for enhancing the immune system, we extracted PBLs from poplar bark using petroleum ether and subjected these extracts to chemical analysis. To evaluate PBLs effect on the immune system mice were treated with different doses of PBL via gavage and sacrificed 4 weeks later. PBLs were shown to be rich in vitamin E, unsaturated fatty acids, and other immune-potentiating compounds. Treatment with PBLs increased the spleen index and stimulated spleen and thymus development. In addition, PBLs increased the number of CD3+CD4+ cells in the peripheral blood and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cells while decreasing the number of CD3+CD8+ cells. Moreover, PBLs significantly increased IL-4 and IFN-γ levels in mouse serum and TLR4 mRNA and protein expression in the spleen. Taken together these results demonstrate that PBLs exert their immune-potentiating effects by promoting spleen and thymus development, T lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation, and immune factor expression. These immune-potentiating effects may be related to the activation of TLR4. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of PBLs as an immune adjuvant or feed additive in the future.

Purification, characterization and antioxidant activities in vitro of polysaccharides from Amaranthus hybridus L

Background

Amaranthus hybridus L. is an annual, erect or less commonly ascending herb that is a member of the Amaranthaceae family. Polysaccharides extracted from traditional Chinese medicines may be effective substances with antioxidant activity.

Methods

In this study, we isolated crude polysaccharides from A. hybridus (AHP-M) using microwave-assisted extraction. Then, the AHP-M was purified by chromatography with DEAE-32 cellulose, and two fractions, AHP-M-1 and AHP-M-2, were obtained. The structural characteristics of AHP-M-1 and AHP-M-2 were investigated, and their antioxidant activities were analyzed in vitro.

Results

We found that the monosaccharide composition of AHP-M-1 was different from that of AHP-M-2. The molecular weights of AHP-M-1 and AHP-M-2 were 77.625 kDa and 93.325 kDa, respectively. The results showed that the antioxidant activity of AHP-M-2 was better than that of AHP-M-1. For AHP-M-2, the DPPH radical scavenging rate at a concentration of 2 mg/mL was 78.87%, the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate was 39.34%, the superoxide anion radical scavenging rate was 80.2%, and the reduction ability of Fe³⁺ was approximately 0.90. The total antioxidant capacity per milligram of AHP-M-2 was 6.42, which was higher than that of Vitamin C (Vc).

Conclusion

The in vitro test indicated that AHP-M-1 and AHP-M-2 have good antioxidant activity, demonstrating that A. hybridus L. polysaccharide has immense potential as a natural antioxidants.

Antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of extracts from Orthosiphon stamineus in hyperuricemic mice

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the antihyperuricemia and nephroprotective effects of Orthosiphon stamineus extracts on hyperuricemia (HUA) mice and explore the potential mechanisms.

METHODS

Orthosiphon stamineus extracts were extracted using 50% ethanol and enriched using ethyl acetate, and characterised utilising UPLC/ESI-MS. A potassium oxonate (PO) induced hyperuricemic mouse model was used to evaluate antihyperuricemia and nephroprotective effects of O. stamineus ethyl acetate extracts (OSE).

KEY FINDINGS

Eight constituents from OSE were identified and OSE treatment ameliorated HUA by regulating key indicators of kidney dysfunction and xanthine oxidase, adenosine deaminase activity and urate transporters in hyperuricemic mice. Moreover, in renal histopathology analysis, OSE significantly alleviated kidney injury.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that OSE has antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects on PO-induced HUA mice and those results indicate that OSE could be a safe and effective agent or functional ingredient for treating HUA.

Convenient synthesis of carbon nanodots for detecting Cr(vi) and ascorbic acid by fluorimetry

Carbon nanodots (CDs) were simply synthesized from Sophora flavescens Ait. “On–off–on” fluorescent probes for the sensitive and selective detections of Cr(iv) and ascorbic acid (AA) were founded and well applied in real samples.

The pharmacology of the genus Sophora (Fabaceae): An updated review

BACKGROUND

The genus Sophora (Fabaceae) represents one of the important medicinal plant genera regarding its chemical constituents and outstanding pharmacological activities.

PURPOSE

In this review, we surveyed the latest findings on the bioactivities of different Sophora extracts and isolated phytochemicals during the past 8 years (2011-2019) updating the latest review article in 2011. The aim of this review is to focus on the molecular pharmacology of Sophora species to provide the rationale basis for the development of novel drugs.

RESULTS

Sophora and its bioactive compounds possess outstanding pharmacological properties, especially as anticancer and anti-inflammatory drugs, in addition to its antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

CONCLUSION

Based on their use in traditional medicine, Sophora species exert a plethora of cellular and molecular activities, which render them as attractive candidates for rationale drug development. Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are required for further integration of Sophora-based phototherapies into conventional medicine.

Efficiency of Sophora flavescens-Fructus Ligustri Lucidi Drug Pairs in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis Based on the Response Surface Method

The pairing of Sophora flavescens and Fructus Ligustri lucidi is taken from Shi Jinmo Medicine. The idea behind this pairing was inspired by the similarity in pharmacological effects of the two herbal drugs, both of which are known to be effective in the treatment and protection against liver fibrosis. To quantitatively study the extent of the interaction between these drugs and the effect of pairing on the treatment of liver fibrosis, an animal model of liver fibrosis mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of low-dose carbon tetrachloride. The drugs were then administered individually, or in predefined compatibility ratio pairs, by gavage, and the effects on indexes of liver fibrosis were observed. The multisynthetic index method was adopted using Matlab software in order to construct a three-dimensional response surface map of the integration effect and conduct interaction analysis of Sophora flavescens and Fructus Ligustri lucidi. The quadratic surface fitting pattern was designed by quadratic regression to determine the optimal range of each drug. The obtained results show that when the compatibility ratio of Sophora flavescens-Fructus Ligustri lucidi drug pairs is less than or equal to 1:1, their therapeutic effect is enhanced by synergy (interaction value ranging between -0.2 and -1). Overall, the synergy of the high-dose drug pairs is stronger than that of the low-dose drug pairs. The optimal dose ranges are 6~12 g and 8~17 g for Sophora flavescens and Fructus Ligustri lucidi, respectively.

Preparation, physicochemical and pharmacological study of curcumin solid dispersion with an arabinogalactan complexation agent

Pharmaceutical solid dispersions (SD) of curcumin (Cur) with macromolecule polysaccharide arabinogalactan (AG) from wood of Larix sibirica were prepared by mechanical ball milling. The physical properties of the dispersed curcumin mixture in solid state were characterized by scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction studies. These methods showed a strong decrease in the degree of crystallinity of Cur and its transformation to amorphization state, accompanied by the formation of the guest-host type complexes. The behavior of the samples in solutions was characterized by reverse phase HPLC, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Mechanochemically prepared complexes demonstrated the increased solubility of Cur up to ~10.5 times in contrast to pure curcumin. The rapid storage test showed high chemical stability of Cur, which depended on mass relations of Cur-AG. Besides, improved membrane permeability of Cur-AG SD was tested by parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. Pharmacokinetic study of Cur-AG SD formulation in rat demonstrated a significant~8-fold enhancement of bioavailability in comparison to pure curcumin. In MTT tests, Cur-AG SD showed moderate cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma cells and immortalized human fibroblasts. Therefore, Cur-AG solid dispersion was a more promising and efficacious formulation for application in oral drug delivery.

Effect of sulfation and partial hydrolysis of polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum on immune-enhancement

The aqueous polysaccharide from Polygonatum sibiricum was extracted and fractionated using anion-exchange chromatography to obtain F₁ fraction. The F₁ was chemically sulfated and partially acid-hydrolyzed for the production of its over-sulfated (OS_1,2,3) and hydrolyzed (HP_1,2,3) derivatives, in which the sulfate content of OS_1,2,3 was 7.5-17.1%, and the M_w of HP_1,2,3 ranged from 18.2 × 10³ to 57.3 × 10³ g/mol. Considerable RAW264.7 cell activation was observed by HP_1,2,3 with NO production of 34.9, 44.3 and 42.7 μM, respectively, as well as the mRNA expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12). NK cell cytotoxicity against HT-29 cell was facilitated by OS_1,2,3 treatment with the increased gene expressions of INF-γ, Granzyme-B, perforin, NKG2D, and FasL. RAW264.7 cells appeared to be activated via MR and TLR4 mediated signaling pathway, but CR3 and TRL2 might play a main role in stimulating NK cells. Overall, the present study suggests the potential application of polysaccharides from P. sibiricum in functional foods and pharmacological industries.

Immunostimulatory activity of water-extractable polysaccharides from Cistanche deserticola as a plant adjuvant in vitro and in vivo

A safe and effective vaccine adjuvant is important in modern vaccines. Various Chinese herbal polysaccharides can activate the immune system. Cistanche deserticola (CD) is a traditional Chinese herb and an adjuvant candidate. Here, we confirmed that water-extractable polysaccharides of CD (WPCD) could modulate immune responses in vitro and in vivo. In a dose-dependent manner, WPCD significantly promoted the maturation and function of murine marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) through up-regulating the expression levels of MHC-II, CD86, CD80, and CD40, allogenic T cell proliferation, and the yields of IL-12 and TNF-α via toll-like receptor4 (TLR4), as indicated by in vitro experiments. In addition, its immunomodulatory activity was also observed in mice. WPCD effectively improved the titers of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a and markedly enhanced the proliferation of T and B cells, the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in CD4+ T cells and the expression level of IFN-γ in CD8+ T cells better than Alum. Furthermore, WPCD could markedly up-regulate the expression levels of CD40 and CD80 on DCs in spleen and down-regulate the Treg frequency. The study suggests that polysaccharides of Cistanche deserticola are a safe and effective vaccine adjuvant for eliciting both humoral immunity and cellular immunity by activating DCs via TLR4 signaling pathway.

Improvement of nutritional components and in vitro antioxidative properties of soy-powder yogurts using Lactobacillus plantarum

This research was the first to demonstrate changes in nutritional compositions (isoflavone and CLA) from the 50% methanol extracts of soy-powder milk (SPM) and soy-powder yogurt (SPY) through fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum S48 and P1201 strains. The radical scavenging activities and protective effects against oxidative stress in LLC-PK₁ cells were also investigated. The average physicochemical characteristics including acidity and viable cell number as well as β-glucosidase activity increased with 0.2 → 0.7%, 7.5 → 9.8 log cfu/mL, and 0.0 3 → 1.75 U/g in SPYs. Total average isoflavones were considerably reduced (3180.3 → 2018.3 μg/g) with the increase of aglycone contents (191.8 → 770.2 μg/g), especially, daidzein exhibited the most remarkable increase rate (98.6 → 460.9 μg/g; > 4.8 times) during fermentation. The CLA and total phenolics also increased with significant differences (ND → 1.6 mg/g; 2.4 → 3.6 mg/GAE/g) between SPM and SPY. Interestingly, the cis-9, trans-11 CLA showed approximately 90% in total content. Moreover, the scavenging capacities against three radicals markedly increased with about 30% in SPYs, as the following order: ABTS > hydroxyl > DPPH. The protective effects on oxidative stress (py-rogallol: O2-, SNP: NO, and SIN-1: ONOO⁻) were also observed high cell viabilities (>10%) under LLC-PK₁ cellular system. Our results suggest that SPY may be utilized as a potent source regarding natural antioxidants and beneficial components for health food and medical uses.

Extraction, partial characterization and bioactivity of polysaccharides from Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham

Mechanochemistry was applied to improve the yield of bioactive acid polysaccharides obtained from low-cost Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. The structural characteristics and biological activities of three novel polysaccharides from S. scandens (SP2-1, SP2-2 and SP3-2) were investigated. SP2-1 and SP2-2 with molecular weights of 267.6 and 253.1 kDa, respectively, were composed of _L-rhamnose, _D-arabinose, _D-mannose, _D-xylose, _D-glucose and _D-galactose in various ratios, whereas SP3-2 with molecular weight of 266.6 kDa was composed of _D-arabinose, _D-glucose and _D-galactose. In vitro, SP3-2 presented the strongest DPPH, ABTS and O^2- radicals scavenging activities, as well as Fe³⁺ reducibility. Immunological tests demonstrated that all polysaccharide fractions stimulated the production of nitric oxide (NO) and immunomodulatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) without cytotoxicity in macrophages and promoted splenocyte proliferation in different degree. These findings indicated that SP2-1, SP2-2 and SP3-2 have prominent antioxidant activity and potential immune response, which proved the possibility of S. scandens polysaccharides (SSP) applied in the field of functional food or medicine.

Purification, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity of Polysaccharides Isolated from Cortex Periplocae

In this study, crude Cortex Periplocae polysaccharides (CCPPs) were extracted with water. CCPPs were decolored with AB-8 resin and deproteinated using papain-Sevage methods. Then, they were further purified and separated through DEAE-52 anion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography, respectively. Three main fractions—CPP1, CPP2, and CPP3, (CPPs)—were obtained. The average molecular weights, monosaccharide analysis, surface morphology, and chemical compositions of the CPPs were investigated by high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In addition, the antioxidant activities of these three polysaccharides were investigated. The results indicated that all of the CPPs were composed of rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose. These three polysaccharides exhibited antioxidant activities in four assays including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical, reducing power, and total antioxidant activity in vitro. The data indicated that these three polysaccharides could be utilized as potential natural sources of alternative additives in the functional food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Hepatoprotective and inhibiting HBV effects of polysaccharides from roots of Sophora flavescens

Roots of Sophora flavescens is an important herbal medicine for treatment of HBV and hepatic carcinoma in China. Alkaloids in the root were well known for exhibiting good hepato-protective and anti-HBV effects. However, polysaccharides as main components in the root remained unknown. In the studies, we investigated the chemical features and hepatoprotective effects of Sophora flavescens polysaccharides (SFP-100 and its active fractions) with ConA-induced hepatitis mice, human liver LO2 cells and HepG2.2.15 cells. The results showed that SFP-100 was composed of arabinose, glucose, galactose and galacturonic acid, SFP-100-A mainly contained glucose. SFP-100-B and SFP-100-C were acidic polysaccharides. SFP-100 significantly decreased hepatocytes apoptosis, inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages into liver, and improved the production of IFN-γ and IL-6 of splenocytes in ConA-induced hepatitis mice. SFP-100 and its two sugar fractions increased LO2 cell proliferation and reduced cell apoptosis induced by ConA. SFP-100, SFP-100-A and SFP-100-C remarkedly inhibited the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg by HepG2.2.15 cells.These results suggested Sophora flavescens polysaccharides exerts significant hepatoprotective and anti-HBV roles, and further is used for treatment of immune-mediated liver disease in the future.

Introducing a novel mushroom from mycophagy community with emphasis on biomedical potency

Mushrooms have been prized by humankind as medicine and culinary wonder since antiquity. Though several species are ethnically valued; many prospective species are still being discovered. One such wild macrofungus has recently been discovered during subsequent field surveys in West Bengal, India which in turn exposed as a traditionally consumed popular myco-food. The collected taxon was found to be unique with regard to its morphological as well as genetical features. After detailed characterizations, the fungus was identified as a novel taxon belonging to the genus Russula (Russulaceae, Basidiomycota). Besides, the investigation was further extended in search of new functional ingredients and in this context, a water soluble crude polysaccharide rich extract (Rusalan) was isolated from dried basidiocarps. Accumulating evidences from GC-MS, HPTLC, FT-IR along with several spectrophotometric methods postulated that the fraction consisted mainly of carbohydrate in triple helical conformation, where glucose was the major monosaccharide mostly with β-type glycosidic linkage. Conversely, Rusalan showed pronounced antioxidant activity in six in vitro assay systems with EC₅₀ value ranging from 190–1328 μg/ml concentration. The crude polysaccharide was also evaluated against six bacterial strains using microdilution method and the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were found to be inhibited effectively. In addition, immune-stimulatory assays demonstrated that Rusalan could evidently promote proliferation, induce phagocytosis, release NO, produce intracellular ROS and upregulate mRNA expression of iNOS, TNF-α, COX-2, as well as IL-6 genes in in mouse macrophage cells. Therefore, aim of the present study was not only to describe a new taxon to the world mycoflora but also to introduce a potent therapeutic agent that could be explored for food and pharmaceutical purposes. However, isolation of active component and in vivo studies need to be designed further.