Structure characterization and anti-leukemia activity of a novel polysaccharide from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels

A novel glycoglycerolipid from Holotrichia diomphalia Bates: Structure characteristics and protective effect against DNA damage

A lipidated polysaccharide, HDPS-2II, was isolated from the dried larva of Holotrichia diomphalia, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The molecular weight of HDPS-2II was 5.9 kDa, which contained a polysaccharide backbone of →4)-β-Manp-(1 → 4,6)-β-Manp-(1 → [6)-α-Glcp-(1]n → 6)-α-Glcp→ with the side chain α-Glcp-(6 → 1)-α-Glcp-(6 → linked to the C-4 of β-1,4,6-Manp and four types of lipid chains including 4-(4-methyl-2-(methylamino)pentanamido)pentanoic acid, 5-(3-(tert-butyl)phenoxy)hexan-2-ol, N-(3-methyl-5-oxopentan-2-yl)palmitamide, and N-(5-amino-3-methyl-5-oxopentan-2-yl)stearamide. The lipid chains were linked to C-1 of terminal α-1,6-Glcp in carbohydrate chain through diacyl-glycerol. HDPS-2II exhibited DNA protective effects and antioxidative activity on H2O2- or adriamycin (ADM)-induced Chinese hamster lung cells. Furthermore, HDPS-2II significantly ameliorated chromosome aberrations and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced γ-H2AX signaling and the expressions of NADPH oxidase (NOX)2, NOX4, P22phox, and P47phox in ADM-induced cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, HDPS-2II suppressed ADM-induced up-regulation of NOX2 and NOX4 in cardiomyocytes, but not in NOX2 or NOX4 knocked-down cardiomyocytes, indicating that HDPS-2II could relieve intracellular DNA damage by regulating NOX2/NOX4 signaling. These findings demonstrate that HDPS-2II is a new potential DNA protective agent.

Advance in Hippophae rhamnoides polysaccharides: Extraction, structural characteristics, pharmacological activity, structure-activity relationship and application

Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn) is an excellent medicinal and edible plant owing to its high nutritional and health-promoting properties. As an important bioactive component, H. rhamnoides polysaccharides (HRPs) have aroused wide attention due to their various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, anti-obesity, and so on. Nevertheless, the development and utilization of HRP-derived functional food and medicines are constrained to a lack of comprehensive understanding of the structure-activity relationship, application, and safety of HRPs. This review systematically summarizes the advancements on the extraction, purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities and mechanisms of HRPs. The structure-activity relationship, safety evaluation, application, as well as the shortcomings of current research and promising prospects are also highlighted. This article aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of HRPs and lay a groundwork for future research and utilization of HRPs as multifunctional biomaterials and therapeutic agents.

The angelica Polysaccharide: a review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and beneficial effects on systemic diseases

Angelica sinensis is a perennial herb widely distributed around the world, and angelica polysaccharide (APS) is a polysaccharide extracted from Angelica sinensis. APS is one of the main active components of Angelica sinensis. A large number of studies have shown that APS has hematopoietic, promoting blood circulation, radiation resistance, lowering blood glucose, enhancing the body immunity and other pharmacological effects in a variety of diseases. However, different extraction methods and extraction sites greatly affect the efficacy of APS. In recent years, with the emerging of new technologies, there are more and more studies on the combined application and structural modification of APS. In order to promote the comprehensive development and in-depth application of APS, this narrative review systematically summarizes the effects of different drying methods and extraction sites on the biological activity of APS, and the application of APS in the treatment of diseases, hoping to provide a scientific basis for the experimental study and clinical application of APS.

Structural and in vivo-in vitro myocardial injury protection features of two novel polysaccharides from Allium macrostemon Bunge and Allium chinense G. Don

This study aimed to investigate the structural characteristics, in vivo antiatherosclerosis activity, and in vitro myocardial injury protection effects of polysaccharides from Allium macrostemon Bunge and Allium chinense G. Don. Thus, crude polysaccharides of Allium macrostemon Bunge and Allium chinense G. Don significantly reduced serum lipid levels, improved cardiac myocyte morphology and arrangement, and relieved the development of myocardial fibrosis. Meanwhile, the lesion areas of the aorta and aortic valve had evident visual improvements. Furthermore, two main novel purified polysaccharides, namely, AMB-1 and ACGD-1, were isolated and characterized from crude Allium macrostemon Bunge and Allium chinense G. Don fractions, respectively. The purified polysaccharides mainly consisted of fructose and glucose and had molecular weights of 25.22 and 19.53 kDa, respectively. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, methylation, and nuclear magnetic resonance data revealed the primary structures of the AMB1 (or ACGD1) backbone with branched side chains. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed that the purified polysaccharides were both piled together in a lamellar or clastic form with a smooth surface along with linear or irregular bulges. Moreover, the purified polysaccharides both showed nontoxicity on H9c2 cells and effectively dropped hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis by the BCL-2/BAX pathway. Overall, the characterization of the structural properties and in vivo and in vitro myocardial injury protection effects of Allium macrostemon Bunge and Allium chinense G. Don polysaccharides enriched our understanding of their nutritional and medicinal values. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the structural characteristics and bioactivities of Allium chinense G. Don polysaccharides.

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.

Polysaccharides from Tetrastigma Hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg ameliorated inflammatory bowel disease by rebuilding the intestinal mucosal barrier and inhibiting inflammation through the SCFA-GPR41/43 signaling pathway

In this study, the therapeutic effects of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum polysaccharide (THP) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its possible mechanisms were investigated based on the IBD mouse model induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Caco-2 cell model. THP significantly alleviated the signs and symptoms of DSS-induced IBD mice, including the reduced weight, shortened colonic length, and increased colitis disease activity index. In vivo, THP significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and oxidative damage, promoted intestinal mucus secretion, and restored the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier and mucus barrier. Furthermore, THP reversed the changes in the intestinal flora of colonized mice and restored the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria and increasing the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. In addition, THP upregulated the expression of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPR41 and GPR43) both in vivo and in vitro. In summary, the current investigation showed that THP effectively protected against intestinal inflammation and impairment in the intestinal barrier in the setting of DSS-induced IBD, possibly by regulating gut microbiota structure and corresponding SCFA metabolites, and the pathway of SCFAs action may be related to SCFA-GPR41/43 signaling pathway.

Anti-Leukemia Activity of Polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme via the PI3K/AKT/BAD Pathway In Vivo and In Vitro

Studies have shown that Sargassum fusiforme and its extracts are effective herbal treatments for leukemia. We previously found that a polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme, SFP 2205, stimulated apoptosis in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. However, the structural characterization and antitumoral mechanisms of SFP 2205 remain uncertain. Here, we studied the structural characteristics and anticancer mechanisms of SFP 2205 in HEL cells and a xenograft mouse model. The results demonstrated that SFP 2205, with a molecular weight of 41.85 kDa, consists of mannose, rhamnose, galactose, xylose, glucose, and fucose with monosaccharides composition of 14.2%, 9.4%, 11.8%, 13.7%, 11.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. On animal assays, SFP 2205 significantly inhibited growth of HEL tumor xenografts with no discernible toxicity to normal tissues. Western blotting showed that SFP 2205 therapy improved Bad, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 protein expression, and ultimately induced HEL tumor apoptosis, indicating mitochondrial pathway involvement. Furthermore, SFP 2205 blocked the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and 740 Y-P, an activator of the PI3K/AKT pathway, rescued the effects of SFP 2205 on HEL cell proliferation and apoptosis. Overall, SFP 2205 may be a potential functional food additive or adjuvant for preventing or treating leukemia.

Targeting mTOR Signaling by Dietary Polysaccharides in Cancer Prevention: Advances and Challenges

Cancer is the most serious problem for public health. Traditional treatments often come with unavoidable side effects. Therefore, the therapeutic effects of natural products with wide sources and low toxicity are attracting more and more attention. Polysaccharides have been shown to have cancer-fighting potential, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has become an attractive target of antitumor therapy research in recent years. The regulation of mTOR pathway not only affects cell proliferation and growth but also has an important effect in tumor metabolism. Recent studies indicate that dietary polysaccharides play a vital role in cancer prevention and treatment by regulating mTOR pathway. Here, the progress in targeting mTOR signaling by dietary polysaccharides in cancer prevention and their molecular mechanisms are systemically summarized. It will promote the understanding of the anticancer effects of polysaccharides and provide reference to investigators of this cutting edge field.

Structural Characterization and Anti-Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Effect of High-Sulfated Ulva pertusa Polysaccharide

The high-sulfated derivative of Ulva pertusa polysaccharide (HU), with unclear structure, has better anti-hyperlipidmia activity than U pertusa polysaccharide ulvan (U). In this study, we explore the main structure of HU and its therapeutic effect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The main structure of HU was elucidated using FT-IR and NMR (13C, 1H, COSY, HSQC, HMBC). The anti-NAFLD activity of HU was explored using the high-fat diet mouse model to detect indicators of blood lipid and liver function and observe the pathologic changes in epididymal fat and the liver. Results showed that HU had these main structural fragments: →4)-β-D-Glcp(1→4)-α-L-Rhap2,3S(1→; →4)-α-L-Rhap3S(1→4)-β-D-Xylp2,3S(1→; →4)-α-L-Rhap3S(1→4)-β-D-Xylp(1→; →4)-α-L-IdopA3S(1→4)-α-L-Rhap3S(1→; →4)-β-D-GlcpA(1→3)-α-L-Rhap(1→; →4)-α-L-IdopA3S(1→4)-β-D-Glcp3Me(1→; →4)-β-D-Xylp2,3S(1→4)-α-L-IdopA3S(1→; and →4)-β-D-Xylp(1→4)-α-L-IdopA3S(1→. Treatment results indicated that HU markedly decreased levels of TC, LDL-C, TG, and AST. Furthermore, lipid droplets in the liver were reduced, and the abnormal enlargement of epididymal fat cells was suppressed. Thus, HU appears to have a protective effect on the development of NAFLD.

Metabolites of medicine food homology-derived endophytic fungi and their activities

Medicine food homology (MFH) substances not only provide essential nutrients as food but also have corresponding factors that can prevent and help treat nutritional imbalances, chronic disease, and other related issues. Endophytic fungi associated with plants have potential for use in drug discovery and food therapy. However, the endophytic fungal metabolites from MFH plants and their effects have been overlooked. Therefore, this review focuses on the various biological activities of 108 new metabolites isolated from 53 MFH-derived endophytic fungi. The paper explores the potential nutritional and medicinal value of metabolites of MFH-derived endophytic fungi for food and medical applications. This research is important for the future development of effective, safe, and nontoxic therapeutic nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Effects and Action Mechanism of Huoxue Tongluo Formula on the Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Excessive infiltration and uncontrolled activation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are likely to destroy normal tissue architecture and cause uncontrolled inflammation. The present research attempted to screen potential signaling pathways of Huoxue Tongluo Formula (HXTLF) affecting the formation of NETs using network pharmacology technique. Active chemical components of HXTLF and therapeutic targets related to vasculitis were screened, and a chemical components-targets network diagram of HXTLF was constructed by Cytoscape. Finally, the inhibitory effect and mechanism of HXTLF on the formation of NETs were explored in vitro using LPS-induced NETs. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were conducted to determine the protein fluorescence intensity and relative expression. The experimental results illustrated that HXTLF mediated the expression levels of H3Cit and myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein in neutrophils activated by LPS, inhibited NETs formation, and reduced the concentration of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, a proinflammatory factor in cells. Additionally, we activated and inhibited the AKT1 signaling pathway using the corresponding activator and inhibitor to explore the regulatory mechanism of HXTLF on AKT1 and other molecules in the treatment of vasculitis. The results demonstrated that HXTLF could inhibit the phosphorylation of AKT1, IKK, and NF-κB proteins, inhibit NETs formation, and reduce IL-1β concentration, indicating that AKT1 exerts a vital role in the treatment of vasculitis after HXTLF administration. The current study initially revealed the pharmacological mechanism of HXTLF for vasculitis management using network pharmacology techniques and tests in vitro, which is expected to provide important theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanism of HXTLF and promoting its clinical application.

The structures of two polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis and their effects on hepatic insulin resistance through blocking RAGE

This study found two novel homogeneous polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis, APS-1I and APS-2II, binding to RAGE with a dissociation constant of 2.02 ± 0.2 and 85.92 ± 0.2 μM, respectively. APS-1I is a 17.0 kDa heteropolysaccharide, whose backbone is composed of α-1,6-Glcp, α-1,3,6-Glcp, α-1,2-Glcp, α-1,4-Galp, and α-1,3-Rhap, and whose two branches contain α-1,3,5-Araf, α-1,3-Araf, α-1,4-Galp, β-1,3-Galp, and β-1,4-Glcp. APS-2II is a 10.0 kDa linear glucan, that contains α-1,6-Glcp, α-1,3-Glcp, α-1,2-Glcp, and α-T-Glcp. In vitro, APS-1I demonstrated better promotion on glucose absorption and stronger repression on p-IRS-1 (Ser307), p-IRS-2 (Ser731), p-JNK, and p-P38 than APS-2II in insulin resistance (IR)-HepG2 cells. Furthermore, APS-1I treatment couldn't further decrease the inhibition on the phosphorylation of JNK and P38 produced by RAGE siRNA in IR-HepG2 cells. In vivo, APS-1I markedly improved IR and reversed the livers RAGE-JNK/p38-IRS signaling in high-fat-diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, suggesting that APS-1I could be a potential agent for improving IR in type 2 diabetes.

Network pharmacology-based study on immunomodulatory mechanism of danggui-yimucao herb pair for the treatment of RU486-induced abortion

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Danggui-Yimucao herb pair (DY) is a classic combination in Chinese herbal formulas, consisting of the root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and the aerial parts of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. DY first appeared in "Zhulinsi fuke mifang" in the Jin Dynasty, and it has a long history as a drug for the treatment of abortion. However, its underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms involved are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, network pharmacology and pharmacological experiments were used to explore the role and mechanism of DY in the treatment of medical abortion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to establish the relationship between the components of DY and abortion-related targets, and to enrich important pathways and biological process for verification. ELISA was used to assess progesterone levels. Flow cytometry was used to detect the degree of differentiation of Th1/Th2 cells. Immunohistochemical methods and qPCR were used to measure the expression levels of T-bet, GATA-3 and IL-4.

RESULTS

Through the prediction analysis of network pharmacology, we found that key pathway for DY treatment of abortion, such as anemia, pelvic infection, immune disorders, and coagulation disorders, was Th1/Th2 cell differentiation pathway. The pharmacological results revealed that DY greatly corrected the imbalance of Th cell subsets in abortion mice, significantly inhibited the differentiation of Th2 cells, and resulted in an increase in the Th1/Th2 ratio. In addition, the concentration of progesterone in the serum of mice after abortion was significantly reduced. We also found that DY upregulated spleen T-bet and downregulated IL-4 gene expression in mice. Besides, immunohistochemical results showed that DYE could up-regulate T-bet but inhibit GATA-3 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that after RU486-induced abortion, progesterone and Th1/Th2 paradigm were disordered in mice, but DY could make mice recover more quickly, which indicated that DY had great development value in immunoregulation.

Structural characterization, anticancer, hypoglycemia and immune activities of polysaccharides from Russula virescens

Russula virescens is an edible wild mushroom that is widely distributed in south of China. This research aimed to analyze the structure characterization and evaluate the hypoglycemic, anticancer and immunological activities of two water soluble polysaccharides RVP-1 and RVP-2 from R. virescens. The results showed RVP-1 and RVP-2 were non-triple helix structured hetero-polysaccharides with different weight-average molecular weight 14,883 and 13,301 Da, respectively. Both RVP-1 and RVP-2 were composed of galactose, glucose, mannose and fructose, and the sugar residues were mainly linked by 1,6→, 1,2→, 1→ and 1,3,6→ glycosidic bonds. Moreover, the antidiabetic, anticancer and immune activities of RVP-1 and RVP-2 were explored in vitro methods. The two polysaccharides have potential for inhibiting α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, suppressing HepG-2, A549 and MCF-7 cancer cells proliferation, and activating macrophage RAW 264.7 cells to secret immune cytokines for mediating cellular immune response. These findings provided a scientific basis for further utilization of polysaccharide from R. virescens.

Extraction, structure, pharmacological activities and drug carrier applications of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) is one of the main active components of Angelica sinensis (AS) that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. ASP is water-soluble polysaccharides, and it is mainly composed of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), arabinose (Ara), rhamnose (Rha), fucose (Fuc), xylose (Xyl) and galacturonic acid (GalUA). The extraction methods of ASP include hot water extraction and ultrasonic wave extraction, and different extraction methods can affect the yield of ASP. ASP has a variety of pharmacological activities, including hematopoietic activity, promoting immunity, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-virus, liver protection, and so on. As a kind of natural polysaccharide, ASP has potential application as drug carriers. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest extraction and purification methods of ASP, the strategies used for monosaccharide compositional analysis plus polysaccharide structural characterization, pharmacological activities and drug carrier applications, and it can provide a basis for further study on ASP.

Structural characteristics of a hypoglycemic polysaccharide from Fructus Corni

PFC-3 is a homogeneous polysaccharide extracted from the dried pulps of Fructus Corni with a molecular weight of 40.3 kDa. The crude polysaccharide was obtained and further purified by DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and Sephadex G-100 columns to investigate its structure and glycemic effect. The monosaccharides in the PFC-3, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, consisted of glucose (Glc), xylose (Xyl), and galactose (Gal) with a mass molar ratio of 2.35:12.49:1.00. The methylation analysis combined with 1D (¹H and ¹³C), and 2D NMR (¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) further demonstrated that PFC-3 was mainly composed of 1,3-α-D-Xylp, 1,6-α-D-Galp, 1,2-α-D-Glcp, and T-α-D-Galp, and contained a backbone fragment of →6)-α-D-Galp-(1 → 2)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 3)-α-D-Xylp-(1 → . The hypoglycemic effect of PFC-3 in vitro was evaluated by glucose uptake and consumption assays, and the results showed that PFC-3 concentration-dependently enhanced glucose uptake and significantly improved glucose consumption in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Furthermore, PFC-3 significantly reduced fasting blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin level, amylase activity, ameliorate lipid metabolism, and hepatic lesions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Our research provided insights into the hypoglycemic activities of PFC-3.

Structures and anti-melanoma activities of two polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels

Polysaccharide is one of the necessary macromolecules in life activities, and it is also a very promising natural product for tumor prevention and treatment. In this study, two homogeneous polysaccharides (APS-4I and APS-4II) were isolated from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. APS-4I was a linear glucan with molecular weight of 16.1 kDa, which was composed of 88.4% α-1,6-Glcp, 4.1% α-1,2-Glcp, 3.9% α-1,3-Glcp, and 2.8% α-T-Glcp. APS-4II was a novel polysaccharide with molecular weight of 11.1 kDa, which consisted of 55.4% α-1,6-Glcp, 10.4% α-1,3,5-Araf, 8.7% α-T-Araf, 9.2% α-1,5-Araf, 4.0% α-1,3-Araf, 3.6% α-1,4-Galp, and 9.1% β-1,3-Galp. NMR results demonstrated that APS-4II has a backbone composed of →6)-α-Glcp-(1 → 6)-α-Glcp-(1 → 5)-α-Araf-. (1 → 5)-α-Araf-(1 → 3,5)-α-Araf-(1 → 3)-β-Galp-(1 → 3)-β-Galp-(1 → 4)-α-Galp-(1 → 3)-α-Araf-(1 → 3,5)-α-Araf-(1→. Both APS-4I and APS-4II inhibited the tumor growth of B16-bearing mice, and the suppressive effect of APS-4II reached 64.7 ± 7.3%. Meanwhile, there were higher lymphocyte numbers and the levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in peripheral blood of APS-4II-treated mice than those in APS-4I-treated mice. Furthermore, APS-4II showed a higher inhibitory effect on the proliferation of B16 cells and stronger promoting effects on the proliferation of splenocytes, the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages, and the cytotoxicity of NK cells. These results demonstrated that APS-4II could be a promising therapeutic agent for melanoma.

Structural characteristics and in vitro and in vivo immunoregulatory properties of a gluco-arabinan from Angelica dahurica

A water-soluble polysaccharide identified here as ADP80-2 was acquired from Angelica dahurica. ADP80-2 was a gluco-arabinan composed of arabinose and a trace of glucose with a molecular weight of 9950 g/mol. The backbone of ADP80-2 comprised →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →3, 5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, with a terminal branch α-L-Araf-(1 → residue. In terms of immunoregulatory activity, ADP80-2 can significantly promote the phagocytosis, the production of nitric oxide (NO), and the secretion of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) of macrophage. In addition to the cellular immunomodulatory activities, the chemokines related to immunoregulation were significantly increased in the zebrafish model after treated with ADP80-2. These biological results indicated that ADP80-2 with immunomodulatory effects was expected to be useful for the development of new immunomodulatory agents. Simultaneously, the discovery of ADP80-2 further revealed the chemical composition of A. dahurica used as a traditional Chinese medicine and spice.

The Bioactivities and Potential Clinical Values of Angelica Sinensis Polysaccharides

Angelica sinensis Radix (ASR), one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines, contains many chemical components such as polysaccharides, volatile oil, flavonoids, amino acids, and organic acids, among which polysaccharides play an indispensable role in the therapeutic effect of ASR. A. sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) has many biological activities, for instance, hematopoietic, anti-tumor, and liver protection, which are closely related to the treatment of human diseases such as chronic anemia, leukemia, and diabetes. In addition, there are excellent application prospects for drug delivery in nanoparticles. This paper reviews the chemical compositions, extraction methods, biological activity, action mechanism, potential clinical applications, nanoparticles, and research prospect of ASP from 2010 to 2020, so as to provide references for its further development.

A novel peptide isolated from garlic shows anticancer effect against leukemic cell lines via interaction with Bcl-2 family proteins

Leukemia is a group of cancer caused by the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Efforts geared toward effective therapeutic strategies with minimal side effects are underway. Peptides derived from natural resources have recently gained special attention as alternative chemotherapeutic agents due to their minimal adverse effects. In the present study, the aim was to isolate peptides from garlic (Allium sativum) and investigate their anticancer activity against leukemic cell lines. The protein extract of A. sativum was pepsin-digested to obtain protein hydrolysate followed by sequential purification methods. A novel anticancer peptide, VKLRSLLCS (VS-9), was identified and characterized by mass spectrometric analysis. The peptide was demonstrated to significantly inhibit the cell proliferation of MOLT-4 and K562 leukemic cell lines while exhibiting minimal inhibition against normal PBMC. Particularly, VS-9 could induce apoptosis and upregulate mRNA levels of caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, and Bax while downregulating Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Bcl-w. Molecular docking of VS-9 with the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein family suggested that VS-9 could bind the binding groove of the BH3 domain on target proteins. Protein-peptide interaction analysis by affinity chromatography and LC-MS/MS further showed that VS-9 could bind Bcl-2 proteins. Results suggest VS-9 as a potential garlic-derived novel anticancer peptide possessing apoptosis-inducing properties against leukemic cell lines via anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein family.

Strongylocentrotus nudos Egg Polysaccharide induces autophagy and apoptosis in leukaemia cells by regulating mitochondrial function

In this study, we investigated the ability of the Polysaccharide from the Eggs of Strongylocentrotus nudus (SEP) to regulate cellular autophagy and apoptosis in leukaemia cells. Human acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells (HL60) and murine AML cells (L1210) treated with SEP were used to assess viability using Cell Counting Kit‐8, cytotoxicity by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by DCFH‐DA staining. In addition, we utilized a mouse model of leukaemia in which L1210 cells were injected into DBA/2 mice by sub‐axillary injection. Treatment with SEP decreased cell viability, increased in cytotoxicity and increased the release of ROS in a dose‐dependent manner. SEP treatment was also associated with the activation of pro‐apoptotic proteins cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐9 and cleaved poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). Activation of the apoptotic pathway led to the release of cytochrome C (CytoC) into the cytosol of the cell resulting in decreased membrane potential. The effect of SEP treatment was depended on the activation of the nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) signalling pathway as SEP treatment led to an increase in NF‐κB phosphorylation, and inhibition of NF‐κB signalling using PDTC blocked SEP‐mediated activation of apoptosis. Treatment with SEP also prolonged survival time in our leukaemia mouse model and was associated with diminished tumour volume, increased leucocyte and lymphocyte proliferation, promoted pro‐inflammatory factor release in serum and enhanced immune function. Taken together, these data suggest that SEP inhibits the progression of leukaemia by initiating mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and apoptosis via the NF‐κB signalling pathway.

Effect of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide on apoptosis and its possible mechanism in human erythroleukemia cells

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide (SFPS I, II, and III) on the apoptosis and regulation of human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. The effect of different doses of SFPS on HEL cell growth was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 method, and apoptosis was detected by Hoechst staining. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected using flow cytometry. Expression of the cell cycle gene, p53, antiapoptotic genes, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, and pro-apoptotic genes, Bax, Bad, and Caspase-3, as well as the expression of the corresponding proteins, were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot. The results showed that SFPS II and III decreased HEL cell viability and induced HEL cell apoptosis. Different concentrations of SFPS (I, II, and III) were detected that induced much less toxic effect in normal human embryonic lung (MRC-5) cells, and SFPS I increased cell proliferation, indicating its favorable selectivity towards cancer cells. The mechanism by which SFPS induced apoptosis was also found to be related to the induction of cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and the increased expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins. We concluded that SFPS induces HEL cell apoptosis, possibly via activation of the Caspase pathway, providing the theoretical basis for the development of SFPS-based anti-tumor drug products.

Structures and anti-atherosclerotic effects of 1,6-α-glucans from Fructus Corni

In this study, two homogeneous polysaccharides (PFC-1 and PFC-2) having anti-atherosclerotic activity were isolated from Fructus Corni. PFC-1 and PFC-2 were 1,6-α-glucans with the molecular weight of 4.4 kDa and 82.0 kDa, respectively. In the in vitro experiments, PFC-1 and PFC-2 showed significant inhibitory effects on the cholesterol accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophages induced by oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL), and the inhibitory rate of PFC-2 was 81.62%. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) were used to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of PFC-2 in vivo. The aortic root lipid area decreased by 55.01% in the PFC-2-administered group as compared to the model group. PFC-2 decreased the levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and malondialdehyde, increased the superoxide dismutase activity, and reduced the contents of lipid and macrophages in the aortic sinus plaque in ApoE^-/- mice fed with HFD. Furthermore, PFC-2 markedly inhibited the expression of type A1 scavenger receptor (SR-A1) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) in ox-LDL-treated macrophages. Taken together, 1,6-α-glucans from Fructus Corni showed significant anti-atherogenic effect, and the mechanism is related to enhanced antioxidant activity of the ApoE^-/- mice and down-regulated the expression of SR-A1 and CD36 proteins in macrophages.

Extraction and structural analysis of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide with low molecular weight and its lipid-lowering effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the prevalent and typical chronic liver diseases. In this study, we extracted a novel Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) with low molecular weight (MW) of 3.2 kDa through optimized "one-step" purification process. The major monosaccharide components of ASP were mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galactose, arabinose, and xylose with weight ratio of 0.23:0.17:14.41:0.39:1.68:0.87, respectively. Herein, "small" ASP could serve as an effective therapeutic option for NAFLD both in free fatty acid-induced L02 models and in high-fat diet-induced mice models. Results revealed that low MW ASP dose-dependently decreased TG, TC in vitro and TG, TC, ALT, HDL-C, and LDL-C in vivo. Oil Red O-positive area and Nile red fluorescence intensity decreased in ASP treatment groups both in vitro and in vivo which suggested ASP could reduce lipid accumulation and fatty regeneration. Hematoxylin-eosin staining results shown a decrease in hepatocytes ballooning indicating that ASP could ameliorate liver lipid degeneration. Briefly, a novel polysaccharide with low MW was successfully obtained which can prospectively act as NAFLD therapy.

Extraction, Characterization, and Anticoagulant Activity of a Sulfated Polysaccharide from Bursatella leachii Viscera

Bioactive compounds for drug discovery are increasingly extracted and purified from natural sources including marine organisms. Heparin is a therapeutic agent that has been used for several decades as an anticoagulant. However, heparin is known to cause many undesirable complications such as thrombocytopenia and risk of hemorrhage. Hence, there is a need to find alternatives to current widely used anticoagulant drugs. Here, we extract a sulfated polysaccharide from sea hare, that is, Bursatella leachii viscera, by enzymatic digestion. Several analytical approaches including elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis show that B. leachii polysaccharides have chemical structures similar to glycosaminoglycans. We explore the anticoagulant activity of the B. leachii extract using the activated partial thromboplastin time and the thrombin time. Our results demonstrate that the extracted sulfated polysaccharide has heparin-like anticoagulant activity, thus showing great promise as an alternative anticoagulant therapy.

Structural characterization and biological activities of a novel polysaccharide containing N-acetylglucosamine from Ganoderma sinense

A novel homogeneous heteropolysaccharide (GSPB70-S) with a molecular weight of 2.87 kDa was isolated from Ganoderma sinense. Structural analysis showed that GSPB70-S was composed of glucose, glucosamine, mannose, and galactose with a molar ratio of 12.90:3.70:2.26:1.00. The repeating structure units of GSPB70-S were characterized by the combined application of chemical methods and nuclear magnetic resonance. GSPB70-S contains a backbone of →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-α-D-GlcpNAc-(1 → 4)-α-D-Manp-(1 → 3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, with branches of β-D-Glcp-(1→, α-D-GlcpNAc-(1 → and →4)-α-D-Galp-(1→. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that GSPB70-S presented a long strip shape with different thicknesses, and there were many lamellar substances on the surface. Biological research showed that GSPB70-S inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase in vitro, increased the viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages, and promoted the release of NO. In addition, GSPB70-S showed good abilities to scavenge free radicals.

Hepatoprotection mechanism against alcohol-induced liver injury in vivo and structural characterization of Pinus koraiensis pine nut polysaccharide

Previous studies have shown that Pinus koraiensis pine nut polysaccharide PNP80b-2 exerts widely protective effects against liver injury induced by chemical pollutants, alcohol and drugs. By comparison, PNP80b-2 exhibits the strongest hepatoprotection against alcohol-induced liver injury (AILI). Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the hepatoprotection mechanisms of PNP80b-2 against AILI in vivo. The results indicated that PNP80b-2 alleviated oxidative stress induced by alcohol through enhancing antioxidant capacity of hepatocytes via NRF2/HO-1 pathway. PNP80b-2 also effectively suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects via NF-κB signaling pathway in AILI. In addition, PNP80b-2 protected mice from severe DNA damage induced by alcohol through regulating the expression of Hipk2, P53, Hp1γ and Wip1. Taken together all the results, PNP80b-2 exerts hepatoprotective activity against AILI in vivo through enhancing antioxidant capacity, suppressing inflammation response and promoting DNA damage repair in livers. Furthermore, the structural features of PNP80b-2 were also characterized. PNP80b-2, with molecular weight of 23.0 kDa, was found to be composed of 1,2-linked Galf, 1,2-linked Rhap, 1,4-linked Xylp, 1,6-linked Glcp, 1,4-linked GlcpA, 1,2,6-linked Galp, 1,4,6-linked Glcp, 1,2,3,4-linked Arap, 1-linked Galp and Leu- and Ile-linked O-glycopeptide bonds, based on the GC-MS and NMR results.

The purification, structural characterization and antidiabetic activity of a polysaccharide from Anoectochilus roxburghii

Anoectochilus roxburghii, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been widely used for treating numerous chronic diseases.

A study on the Fe3O4@Fructus mori L. polysaccharide particles with enhanced antioxidant activity and bioavailability

Molecular conformation is closely related to the functional properties of macromolecules.