Anti-oxidation and anti-aging activity of polysaccharide from Malus micromalus Makino fruit wine

Along the gut-bone marrow signaling pathway: use of longan polysaccharides to regenerate blood cells after chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression

Although it has been established that polysaccharides have an effect on bone marrow haematopoiesis, it remains unclear how polysaccharides regulate bone marrow haematopoiesis during absorption and metabolism in vivo. In this study, the effect of a longan polysaccharide of large molecular weight (TLPL) on the gut microbiota of mice and its implications for the haematopoietic process in bone marrow was discussed. Here, the results show that after 21 days of TLPL consumption, the respective quantities of white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin and bone marrow nucleated cells were determined to be 3.18 ± 1.71 (109 L-1), 1238.10 ± 164.41 (109 L-1), 135.10 ± 4.95 (g L-1), and 1.70 × 107, which reached 56.98%, 117.28%, and 47.74%, respectively, of the results for NC. TLPL both increased the thymus and spleen indexes by up to 2.08 ± 0.64 (mg g-1) and 6.49 ± 2.45 (mg g-1), respectively. Additionally, TLPL remodeled the gut microbiota with a significant increase in Lactobacillus in particular, and a significant increase in the level of the potential intestinal metabolite lactate was detected in the serum. Most importantly, a similarly significant up-regulation of the gene expression of the lactate receptor, Gpr81, in the myeloid cells was observed. These changes contributed to the activation of the secretion of various cytokines associated with haematopoiesis, with the levels of G-CSF, EPO, SCF and PF4 increased by 2.44 times, 1.14 times, 1.56 times and 1.13 times, respectively, compared to the MC group, which subsequently accelerated production of bone marrow cells and blood cells. The findings of this study reveal the unique mechanism of dried longan polysaccharides in ameliorating myelosuppression and provide a feasible strategy for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression with bioactive polysaccharides.

Research on the brewing technology of Dangshen Huangjiu with low biogenic amines and high functional factors

BACKGROUND

Biogenic amines (BA) are hazardous components in Huangjiu (HJ). To ensure the quality of Dangshen Huangjiu (DSHJ), an orthogonal experiment L9 (33) was proposed to optimize the process by the main brewing factors (pre-fermentation temperature, pre- and post-fermentation time) that may affect BA and functional factors in DSHJ. DSHJ was produced with low BA content and high functional factors. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry combined with a multivariate statistical method (GC-IMS-MSM) was used to analyze the volatile components in the brewing process of DSHJ.

RESULTS

The optimum brewing process parameters of DSHJ were as follows: pre-fermentation temperature, 28 °C; pre-fermentation time, 9 days; post-fermentation time, 18 days. The average content of BA in DSHJ was 33.12 mg L-1, and the sensory score, total phenol content and DPPH free radical scavenging rate of DSHJ were significantly higher than those of HJ. A total of 14 esters, 7 acids, 7 alcohols, 1 ketone, 5 aldehydes and 1 pyrazine in DSHJ and HJ were identified by GC-IMS. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in DSHJ and HJ in the soaking rice and saccharification stage. 11 components, such as ethyl acetate, and 12 components, such as acetic acid, were the different components of HJ and DSHJ in pre-fermentation and post-fermentation stages, respectively. In the post-fermentation stage, the contents of 8 components in DSHJ such as ethyl acetate were higher than in HJ.

CONCLUSION

The preparation process parameters of DSHJ optimized by orthogonal experiments can ensure that DSHJ has the advantages of low BA content, high total phenol content and good antioxidant activity. Sensory score and GC-IMS-MSM analysis found that DSHJ prepared using the optimal process had the characteristics of good taste and rich aroma. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Extraction, structures, biological effects and potential mechanisms of Momordica charantia polysaccharides: A review

Momordica charantia L. is a kind of vegetable with medicinal value. As the main component of the vegetable, Momordica charantia polysaccharides (MCPs) mainly consist of galactose, galacturonic acid, xylose, rhamnose, mannose and the molecular weight range is 4.33 × 103-1.16 × 106 Da. MCPs have been found to have various biological activities in recent years, such as anti-oxidation, anti-diabetes, anti-brain injury, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammation. In this review, we systematically summarized the extraction methods, structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of MCPs. Especially MCPs modulate gut microbiota and cause the alterations of metabolic products, which can regulate different signaling pathways and target gene expressions to exert various functions. Meanwhile, the potential structure-activity relationships of MCPs were analyzed to provide a scientific basis for better development or modification of MCPs. Future researches on MCPs should focus on industrial extraction and molecular mechanisms. In East Asia, Momordica charantia L. is used as both food and medicine. It is not clear whether MCP has its unique biological effects. Further study on the difference between MCPs and other food-derived polysaccharides will be helpful to the development and potential application of Momordica charantia L.

Cow placenta extract ameliorates d-galactose-induced liver damage by regulating BAX/CASP3 and p53/p21/p16 pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Placenta is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, known as "Ziheche", which has the function of tonifying qi and blood, nourishing liver and kidney. Placenta extract (PE) has been used for delaying organismal aging and treating various liver diseases. Cow placenta is a rich natural resource with large mass. Its composition is similar to that of human placenta, but it has not been effectively utilized. However, little is known about the effect of CPE on the liver of aging mice.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to explore the protective effect and mechanism of CPE on the liver of d-galactose (D-gal) induced aging mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Statistical methods were used to calculate mouse body weight and liver index. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to detect the morphological structure of the liver. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure serum biochemical indicators. Three special staining methods were used to observe hepatocytes apoptosis, senescence and proliferation respectively. Relative kits were used to detect oxidative, inflammatory, and aging markers in the liver. Finally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western-blot were used to detect aging related signaling pathways.

RESULTS

CPE significantly improved the morphological damage and dysfunction of liver, restored the activities of liver enzymes in serum, and alleviated liver oxidative stress and inflammatory response in D-gal induced aging mice. Furthermore, CPE inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis and senescence, and promoted hepatocyte proliferation by regulating BAX/CASP3 and p53/p21/p16 signaling pathways, ultimately reduced the effects of aging on the liver.

CONCLUSION

CPE effectively ameliorated the impact of aging on the liver by inhibiting free radical production or scavenging excessive free radicals, and its mechanism is associated to the regulation of apoptosis and proliferation-related factors.

Characterization and anti-aging activities of polysaccharide from Rana dybowskii Guenther

Introduction: Rana dybowskii Guenther (RDG), as a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to have antioxidant effects. However, studies on the anti-aging effect of RDG are still limited. Methods: In this study, we prepared polysaccharides from the skin of RDG (RDGP) by hot water extraction, alcohol precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography and gel chromatography. The proteins were removed using the Sevage method in combination with an enzymatic method. The structural features were analyzed using high-performance gel permeation chromatography, β-elimination reaction and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The anti-aging effect of RDGP was investigated by using D-Gal to establish an aging model in mice, and pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed under a microscope. Results: We obtained the crude polysaccharide DGP from the skin of RDG, with a yield of 61.8%. The free protein was then removed by the Sevage method to obtain DGPI and deproteinated by enzymatic hydrolysis combined with the Sevage method to further remove the bound protein to obtain the high-purity polysaccharide DGPII. Then, DGPIa (1.03 × 105 Da) and DGPIIa (8.42 × 104 Da) were obtained by gel chromatography, monosaccharide composition analysis showed that they were composed of Man, GlcA, GalNAc, Glc, Gal, Fuc with molar ratios of 1: 4.22 : 1.55: 0.18 : 8.05: 0.83 and 0.74 : 1.78: 1: 0.28: 5.37 : 0.36, respectively. The results of the β-elimination reaction indicated the presence of O-glycopeptide bonds in DGPIa. The Morris water maze test indicated that mice treated with DGPIIa exhibited a significantly shorter escape latency and increased time spent in the target quadrant as well as an increase in the number of times they traversed the platform. Pathologic damage to the hippocampus was alleviated in brain tissue stained with hematoxylin-eosin. In addition, DGPIIa enhanced the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px and inhibited the level of MDA in the serum and brain tissues of aging mice. Discussion: These results suggest that RDGP has potential as a natural antioxidant and provide useful scientific information for anti-aging research.

Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd. ex Lindl.) derived polysaccharide with enhanced glycolipid metabolism regulation and mice gut microbiome

This study focuses on the characterization and regulation of glycolipid metabolism of polysaccharides derived from biomass of Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd. ex Lindl.) root (PNr). The extracts from dilute hydrochloric acid, hot water, and 2 % sodium hydroxide solution were characterized through molecular weight, gel permeation chromatography, monosaccharides, Fourier transform infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses. Polysaccharide from alkali extraction and molecular sieve purification (named as: PNS2A) exhibited optimal inhibitory of 3T3-L1 cellular differentiation and lowered insulin resistance. The PNS2A is made of a hemicellulose-like main chain of →4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→ that was connected by branches of 4-O-Me-α-GlcAp-(1→, T-α-D-Galp-(1→, T-α-L-Araf-(1→, →2)-α-L-Araf-(1→, as well as β-D-Glcp-(1→4-β-D-Glcp-(1→ fragments. Oral delivery of PNS2A in diabetes mice brought down blood glucose and cholesterol levels and regulated glucose and lipid metabolism. PNS2A alleviated diabetes symptoms and body weight and protected liver and kidney function in model animals by altering the gut microbiome. Polysaccharides can be a new approach to develop bamboo resources.

Structural elucidation of a highly branched α-D-glucan from Huangjiu and its hepatoprotective activity via gut microbiome regulation and intestinal barrier repairment

Polysaccharides in Huangjiu, a traditional fermented food, are expected to be potentially effective ingredients in protecting against alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Elucidating their precise structural and functional characteristics is essential for in-depth understanding of structure-activity relationships of hepatoprotective polysaccharides. Herein, a major polysaccharide component HJPS1-2 was purified from Huangjiu with an average molecular weight of 3.49 kDa. Structural analyses inferred that HJPS1-2 backbone was composed of (1 → 4)-linked α-D-Glcp and a single α(1 → 6)-D-Glcp-α(1 → 6)-D-Glcp branched unit for every three α(1 → 4)-D-Glcp. An ALD mouse model was further established to clarify the underlying effect of HJPS1-2 on ALD alleviation. Biochemical detection and histopathological assessment revealed that HJPS1-2 intervention remarkably improved ethanol-induced hepatic dysfunction and steatosis. HJPS1-2 treatment ameliorated gut microbiota dysbiosis of ALD mice in a dose-dependent manner, mainly manifested as restoration of microbial diversities, community structure and bacterial interaction patterns. Compared with ethanol group, the strikingly elevated intestinal short-chain fatty acids' levels and enhanced intestinal barrier function after HJPS1-2 intake might contribute to reduced serum and liver lipopolysaccharide levels and subsequently suppressed release of hepatic inflammatory cytokines, thus mitigating ALD. Collectively, this research supports the potential of food-derived polysaccharides to hinder the early formation and progression of ALD through maintaining intestinal homeostasis.

Anti-Aging Effect of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni Polysaccharide-Rich Extract on Caenorhabditis elegans

Plant polysaccharides are important for anti-aging research. Polysaccharides from Hemerocallis citrina Baroni (H. citrina) have been reported to have antioxidant activity; however, their anti-aging roles and mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we extracted polysaccharides from H. citrina by an ultrasonic-assisted water extraction-alcohol precipitation method and chemically determined the physicochemical properties such as extraction yield, content, and in vitro antioxidant properties of H. citrina polysaccharide-rich extract (HCPRE). Using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model animal, the anti-aging effect of HCPRE was investigated, and the mechanism of action of HCPRE was explored by the in vivo antioxidant level assay of C. elegans and the related gene expression assay. The extraction yield of HCPRE was 11.26%, the total polysaccharide content was 77.96%, and the main monosaccharide components were glucose and galactose. In addition, HCPRE exhibited good antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo. Under normal thermal stress and oxidative stress conditions, being fed 1200 µg/mL of HCPRE significantly prolonged the life span of C. elegans by 32.65%, 17.71%, and 32.59%, respectively. Our study showed that HCPRE exerted an anti-aging effect on C. elegans, and its mechanism involves increasing the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reducing the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulating the expression of related genes.

The protective effect of PL 1-3 on D-galactose-induced aging mice

The aging population has become an issue that cannot be ignored, and research on aging is receiving increasing attention. PL 1-3 possesses diverse pharmacological properties including anti-oxidative stress, inhibits inflammatory responses and anti-apoptosis. This study showed that PL 1-3 could protect mice, especially the brain, against the aging caused by D-galactose (D-gal). D-gal could cause oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and tissue pathological injury and so on in aging mice. The treatment of PL 1-3 could increase the anti-oxidative stress ability in the serum, liver, kidney and brain of aging mice, via increasing the total antioxidant capacity and the levels of anti-oxidative defense enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase), and reducing the end product of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde). In the brain, in addition to the enhanced anti-oxidative stress via upregulating the level of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase 1, PL 1-3 could improve the dysfunction of the cholinergic system via reducing the active of acetylcholinesterase so as to increase the level of acetylcholine, increase the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities via downregulating the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and pro-apoptosis proteins (Bcl-2 associated X protein and Caspase-3) in the D-gal-induced aging mice, to enhance the anti-aging ability via upregulating the expression of sirtuin 1 and downregulating the expressions of p53, p21, and p16. Besides, PL 1-3 could reverse the liver, kidney and spleen damages induced by D-gal in aging mice. These results suggested that PL 1-3 may be developed as an anti-aging drug for the prevention and intervention of age-related diseases.

Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidin extract supplementation improves antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) plays a significant role in body health, including improving antioxidant capacity and maintaining lipid metabolism stability. However, whether dietary GSPE supplementation can improve lipid metabolism in finishing pigs remains unclear. Here 18 castrated male Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire finishing pigs were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates and one pig per replicate. Pigs were fed a basal diet (control), a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg GSPE, or a basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg GSPE for 30 days. Antioxidant analysis showed that dietary 200 mg/kg GSPE supplementation increased glutathione, total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase levels, and reduced malondialdehyde levels in serum, muscle and liver. Dietary 200 mg/kg GSPE supplementation also upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of nuclear-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Lipid metabolism analysis showed that dietary GSPE supplementation increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduced serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Besides, GPSE upregulated the mRNA expression of lipolysis- and fatty acid oxidation-related genes downregulated the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related genes, and activated the AMPK signal in finishing pigs. Together, we provided evidence that dietary GSPE supplementation improved the antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs.

Recent advances in polysaccharide biomodification by microbial fermentation: production, properties, bioactivities, and mechanisms

Polysaccharides are natural chemical compounds that are extensively employed in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They exhibit a wide range of physical and biological properties. These properties are commonly improved by using chemical and physical methods. However, with the advancement of biotechnology and increased demand for green, clean, and safe products, polysaccharide modification via microbial fermentation has gained importance in improving their physicochemical and biological activities. The physicochemical and structural characteristics, biological activity, and modification mechanisms of microbially fermented polysaccharides were reviewed and summarized in this study. Polysaccharide modifications were categorized and discussed in terms of strains and fermentation techniques. The effects of microbial fermentation on the physicochemical characteristics of polysaccharides were highlighted. The impact of modification of polysaccharides on their antioxidant, immune, hypoglycemic, and other activities, as well as probiotic digestive enhancement, were also discussed. Finally, we investigated a potential enzyme-based process for polysaccharide modification via microbial fermentation. Modification of polysaccharides via microbial fermentation has significant value and application potential.

Study on semi-bionic extraction of Astragalus polysaccharide and its anti-aging activity in vivo

Astragalus membranaceus (A. membranaceus) is a homologous plant with high medicinal and edible value. Therefore, the extraction methods of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) have attracted the attention of many research groups, but the yield of the active components is still not high. The aim of this study was to extract APS by a semi-bionic extraction method, optimize the extraction process, and evaluate the anti-aging activities of APS in vivo. The results showed that the APS yield was 18.23% when extracted by the semi-bionic extraction method. Anti-aging evaluation in rats showed that APS extracted by this method significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity to cope with D-galactose-induced aging. Serum metabolomic analysis indicated that a total of 48 potential biomarkers showed significant differences, mainly involving 5 metabolic pathways. These altered metabolic pathways were mainly related to energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism. These results indicated that the semi-bionic extraction method can effectively improve the yield of APS, and the extracted APS exhibited anti-aging activity in rats. Our study provided a novel and effective method to extract APS and indicated that APS can be used as functional food and natural medicine to delay aging and prevent its complications.

Isolation, structures and biological activities of medicinal glycoproteins from natural resources: A review

In recent years, natural resources have proven to be tremendous sources of glycoproteins. As biological macromolecules, glycoproteins are essential to the growth and development of organisms, and have attracted increasing attention around the world. This review summarized and discussed the development of glycoproteins from natural resources, including isolation methods, purification processes, structural features and biological activities. Generally, the vast majority of glycoproteins can be isolated by hot water extraction followed by purification through gel filtration chromatography. Combined with component analysis, the physicochemical properties of glycoproteins are studied by using several spectroscopic techniques such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-Visible), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Moreover, natural glycoproteins possess various remarkable biological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-coagulant and anti-microbial activities. The content of this review will provide a theoretical basis for the research on related glycoproteins and give a perspective on the use of these medical resources.

Extraction, purification, structural characterization and biological activity of polysaccharides from Fritillaria: A review

Fritillaria is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with a history of thousands of years. Fritillaria always contain saponins, alkaloids, amino acids, flavones, and polysaccharides. Among them, Fritillaria polysaccharide has a variety of biological activities. Its anti-inflammatory and antiaging activities are new study hotspots. The extraction, purification, quantitative determination, monosaccharide composition, and biological activity of Fritillaria polysaccharides have been examined for several years in an attempt to identify the active components and understand the pharmacological process. In this review, ample original publications related to the distribution, extraction, purification, quantitative determination, monosaccharide composition and biological activities of Fritillaria until 2023 were searched and collected by using various literature databases. Databases included the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP database, Wan Fang database, PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Web of Science database, as well as the classic Chinese medical books and PhD and MSc theses. The properties and outcomes of various extractions, purifications, quantitative determination methods, monosaccharide compositions, and biological activities of Fritillaria polysaccharides are discussed here. Additionally, we summarize the research potential of Fritillaria polysaccharide and identify promising research direction candidates.

Optimization of the Brewing Process and Analysis of Antioxidant Activity and Flavor of Elderberry Wine

Fruit wines have high nutritional value and good palatability. However, fruit wine made from a single fruit type does not have good enough flavor and nutritional quality. Therefore, flavorsome fruit wines made from a variety of fruits should be developed as a matter of urgency. In this study, the raw material of elderberry wine was used to explore the production technology of mixed juice wines; the fruits selected were apple, lychee, pear, blueberry, and elderberry. We utilized a single-factor experiment and the response surface method (RSM) approach to optimize the fermentation procedures; the results show that the solid–liquid ratio was 1:7.5, the amount of yeast inoculation was 0.68 g/L, the fermentation temperature was 20 °C, and the added sugar content was 120 g/L. Under these process conditions, a verification test was carried out in a 35 L fermenter. The results showed that the alcohol content, residual sugar content, total acidity, total phenol content, and total flavonoid content of the elderberry wine were, respectively, 7.73% vol, 8.32 g/L, 9.78 g/L, 8.73 mg/mL, and 1.6 mg/mL. In total, 33 volatile components were identified in the resulting elderberry wine. It achieved a harmonious aroma and fruit flavor, a homogeneous and transparent liquid phase, a pleasant taste, and a sensory evaluation score of 95. The antioxidant activity experiments showed that elderberry had a certain antioxidant capacity, and that fermented elderberries had significantly higher antioxidant ability than unfermented ones.

Antioxidative and Protective Effect of Morchella esculenta against Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Alterations in Liver

Morchella esculenta is an edible mushroom with special flavor and high nutritional value for humans, primarily owing to its polysaccharide constituents. M. esculenta polysaccharides (MEPs) possess remarkable pharmaceutical properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-atherogenic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential of MEPs. In vitro activity was determined using free radical scavenging assays, whereas in vivo activity was evaluated through dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced liver injury in mice with acute colitis. MEPs effectively scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azinobis-6-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulfonic acid) free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, DSS-induced mice showed severe liver damage, cellular infiltration, tissue necrosis, and decreased antioxidant capacity. In contrast, intragastric administration of MEPs showed hepatoprotective effects against DSS-induced liver injury. MEPs remarkably elevated the expression levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Additionally, it decreased malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels in the liver. These results indicate that the protective effects of MEP against DSS-induced hepatic injury could rely on its ability to reduce oxidative stress, suppress inflammatory responses, and improve antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver. Therefore, MEPs could be explored as potential natural antioxidant agents in medicine or as functional foods to prevent liver injury.

Antioxidant and ultraviolet shielding performance of lignin-polysaccharide complex isolated from spent coffee ground

Spent coffee ground (SCG) is a representative type of biomass waste with huge annual output. To better develop high value applications of SCG, in this study, the lignin-polysaccharide complex (LPC) was isolated from SCG by applying effective ball milling and the subsequent solvent extraction of 96 % 1, 4-dioxane aqueous solution. In addition to the comprehensive analyses of the obtained LPC regarding its chemical composition, surface morphology, molecular weight distribution, characteristic functional groups, surface chemical linkages, and thermal stability, its potentials in radical scavenging and UV shielding had been emphatically investigated. As revealed from the results, a proper duration (e.g., 4 h) of UV irradiation could evidently enhance the radical-scavenging capacity of LPC, ascribed to the increasing number of antioxidant groups. Moreover, the LPC-containing composite sunscreens also exhibited strengthened UV resistance after UV irradiation, which may benefit from the UV-induced conjugated structures and the π-π stacking of aromatic rings from both LPC and the active ingredients in commercial sunscreen. Therefore, LPC is highly promising to be exploited for the development of novel antioxidants and UV-shielding products, by virtue of its characteristic chemical structure and potential synergistic effect with other active ingredients from the composite.

Rich d-Fructose-Containing Polysaccharide Isolated from Myxopyrum smilacifolium Roots toward a Superior Antioxidant Biomaterial

The presented study attempts to unveil and evaluate the antioxidant activity of a novel heteropolysaccharide separated from the roots of Myxopyrum smilacifolium (denoted as PS-MSR). The molecular weight of PS-MSR is found to be 1.88 × 10⁴ Da and contains two principal sugars, which are d-glucose and d-fructose, in the backbone. Decoding the structure of the obtained PS-MSR sample has disclosed a novel polysaccharide for the first time. Indeed, the PS-MSR is composed of (1 → 3)-linked glucosyl units and (2 → 3)-linked fructosyl units. In addition, the 1D and 2D NMR spectra of the PS-MSR sample display the repeating unit of the isolated polysaccharide, [→3)-α-d-Glcp-(1 → 3)-β-d-Frucf-(2 → 3)-β-d-Frucf-2 → 3)-)-β-d-Frucf-β-(2→] _n . Interestingly, the PS-MSR sample exhibits outstanding antioxidant activity, signifying the potential utilization of the explored polysaccharide for antioxidant-based material.

The Role and Mechanism of Polysaccharides in Anti-Aging

The elderly proportion of the population is gradually increasing, which poses a great burden to society, the economy, and the medical field. Aging is a physiological process involving multiple organs and numerous reactions, and therefore it is not easily explained or defined. At present, a growing number of studies are focused on the mechanisms of aging and potential strategies to delay aging. Some clinical drugs have been demonstrated to have anti-aging effects; however, many still have deficits with respect to safety and long-term use. Polysaccharides are natural and efficient biological macromolecules that act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and immune regulators. Not surprisingly, these molecules have recently gained attention for their potential use in anti-aging therapies. In fact, multiple polysaccharides have been found to have excellent anti-aging effects in different animal models including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and mice. The anti-aging qualities of polysaccharides have been linked to several mechanisms, such as improved antioxidant capacity, regulation of age-related gene expression, and improved immune function. Here, we summarize the current findings from research related to anti-aging polysaccharides based on various models, with a focus on the main anti-aging mechanisms of oxidative damage, age-related genes and pathways, immune modulation, and telomere attrition. This review aims to provide a reference for further research on anti-aging polysaccharides.

Extraction, characterization, antioxidant and anti-tumor activities of polysaccharides from Camellia fascicularis leaves

The ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Camellia fascicularis (PCF) was optimized using response surface methodology. After separation and purification with DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephadex G-200 glucan gel columns, the purified polysaccharide components of PCFa-1 and PCFc-1 were analyzed for their structural characterization, antioxidant and anti-tumor activities in vitro. The results indicated that liquid to material ratio of 42 mL/g, ultrasonic time of 53 min, ultrasonic temperature of 73 °C, and ultrasonic power of 215 W were the optimum extraction conditions for PCF with maximum yields (4.05 %). PCFa-1 and PCFc-1 contained 5.88 % and 9.58 % uronic acid content, with 7.53 and 108.91 kDa of average molecular weights, respectively. The PCFa-1 was mainly constituted of galactose, arabinose, and glucose, while PCFc-1 was primarily composed of arabinose, glucose, galacturonic acid, and rhamnose. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that PCFa-1 and PCFc-1 contained typical polysaccharide bands. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface of PCFa-1 and PCFc-1 were irregular and clumpy structures. Nuclear magnetic resonance showed that PCFa-1 and PCFc-1 were mainly α-glycosidic bond conformation. Furthermore, the PCFc-1 showed better antioxidant capacities than PCFa-1 against hydroxyl, DPPH, and ABTS radicals and exhibited more potent toxicity on A549 and HepG2 cells. These research results suggested that PCF, especially PCFc-1, possesses great potential as natural antioxidants and anti-tumor drugs.

Antibacterial mechanism of polysaccharides from the leaves of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. by metabolomics based on HPLC/MS

Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. is a traditional Chinese herb, which has been proven to have excellent antibacterial activity. In this work, we firstly extracted the polysaccharides from the leaves of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. (LLPs), and explored their antibacterial activity and related mechanisms. The experimental results show that LLPs are a good antibacterial agent, which can damage the cell structure of bacteria and lead to the leakage of intracellular lysates. Compared with Escherichia coli (E. coli), LLPs showed better inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Furthermore, the administration of LLPs not only led to the upregulation of the levels of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (F-1,6-P) and citric acid in the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways in bacteria, but also resulted in the down-regulation of the levels of oxaloacetate (OAA) and 1,3-diphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG). This study confirmed that LLPs have good antibacterial activity, and broaden the application of the leaves of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. in the antibacterial field. It provides ideas for exploring the antibacterial mechanism of active ingredients of Chinese herbal medicine through metabolomics.

Flavonoids from Rhododendron nivale Hook. f delay aging via modulation of gut microbiota and glutathione metabolism

BACKGROUND

Rhododendron nivale Hook. f (R.n), one of the four Manna Stash used in Tibetan medicine to delay aging, possesses anti-aging pharmacological activity. However, which R.n ingredients contain anti-aging properties and the underlying mechanisms involved are unclear.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

Based on interactions between gut microbiota and natural medicines and the important role of gut microbiota in anti-aging, the study investigated the hypothesis that R.n possesses anti-aging properties and the interaction of gut microbiota with R.n is responsible for its anti-aging effects.

STUDY DESIGN

The primary active ingredients of R.n and their target function and pathway enrichment were explored. An aging mouse model was used to clarify the underlying anti-aging mechanisms of R.n.

METHODS

Chromatography, spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic technology, and pharmacology were used to reveal the major active ingredients of ethanol extract residues of R.n (RNEA). The target function and pathway enrichment of these active ingredients were explored. Plasma metabolomics coupled with intestinal flora evaluation and bioinformatics analysis was used to clarify the underlying anti-aging mechanisms of RNEA.

RESULTS

Myricetin-3-β-D-xylopyranoside, hyperin, goospetin-8-methyl ether 3-β-D-galactoside, and diplomorphanin B were separated and identified from RNEA. The network pharmacology study revealed that the active ingredients' target function and pathway enrichment focused mainly on the glutathione antioxidant system. In a D-galactose-induced mouse model of aging, RNEA was shown to possess suitable anti-aging pharmacological activity, as indicated by the amelioration of memory loss and weakened superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Plasma metabolomics coupled with intestinal flora examination and bioinformatics analysis revealed that RNEA could regulate the expression of glutathione-related enzymes and ameliorate D-galactose-induced imbalances in methionine, glycine, and serine, and betaine and galactose metabolism. The results showed that RNEA reshaped the disordered intestinal flora and mitigated the D-galactose-mediated decline in glutathione oxidase expression, further confirming that the anti-aging effect of RNEA was closely related to regulation of the glutathione antioxidant system.

CONCLUSION

RNEA, consisting of myricetin-3-β-D-xylopyranoside, hyperin, goospetin-8-methyl ether 3-β-D-galactoside, and diplomorphanin B, possesses anti-aging activity. The anti-aging effect of RNEA might be due to reshaping intestinal flora homeostasis, increasing the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 in the intestines and liver, enhancing glutathione peroxidase activity, and reinforcing the glutathione antioxidant system.

Physicochemical property and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide from the seed cakes of Camellia oleifera Abel

Seed cake refers to the food by‐product of Camellia oleifera Abel, and its insufficient utilization can cause serious environment pollution and resource waste. This study aimed to investigate antioxidant activities of the polysaccharide from the seed cakes of Camellia oleifera Abel (COCP) in vitro and in vivo. The physicochemical property of COCP was also determined. COCP was characterized to be an acidic glycoprotein and mainly consisted of rhamnose (Rha), arabinose (Ara), galactose (Gal), glucose (Glc), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), and galacturonic acid (Gal‐UA). COCP exhibited the polysaccharide's characteristic absorption in the Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and showed as sheet‐like structures with a smooth surface under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). COCP exerted good scavenging activities on ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals, with IC₅₀ values of 2.94, 2.24, and 5.09 mg/ml, respectively. COCP treatment improved learning and memory abilities of D‐galactose‐induced aging mice. Significant decreases were found in the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, as aging mice were supplemented with COCP. Aging mice showed obviously higher malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities in serum, brain, liver, kidney, and heart. The phenomena were noticeably reversed when mice were treated with COCP. Results indicated that COCP exerted excellent antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo, which support its potential application as a natural antioxidant in food and medicine industries.

Extraction Optimization, Structural Characterization, and Anti-Hepatoma Activity of Acidic Polysaccharides From Scutellaria barbata D. Don

The Chinese medicinal herb Scutellaria barbata D. Don has antitumour effects and is used to treat liver cancer in the clinic. S. barbata polysaccharide (SBP), one of the main active components extracted from S. barbata D. Don, exhibits antitumour activity. However, there is still a lack of research on the extraction optimization, structural characterization, and anti-hepatoma activity of acidic polysaccharides from S. barbata D. Don. In this study, the optimal extraction conditions for SBP were determined by response surface methodology (RSM): the material-liquid ratio was 1:25, the extraction time was 2 h, and the extraction temperature was 90°C. Under these conditions, the average extraction efficiency was 3.85 ± 0.13%. Two water-soluble polysaccharides were isolated from S. barbata D. Don, namely, SBP-1A and SBP-2A, these homogeneous acidic polysaccharide components with average molecular weights of 1.15 × 10⁵ Da and 1.4 × 10⁵ Da, respectively, were obtained at high purity. The results showed that the monosaccharide constituents of the two components were fucose, galactosamine hydrochloride, rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine hydrochloride, galactose, glucose, xylose, and mannose; the molar ratio of these constituents in SBP-1A was 0.6:0.3:0.6:30.6:3.3:38.4:16.1:8:1.4, and that in SBP-2A was 0.6:0.5:0.8:36.3:4.4:42.7:9.2:3.6:0.7. In addition, SBP-1A and SBP-2A contained uronic acid and β-glucan, and the residue on the polysaccharide was mainly pyranose. The in vitro results showed that the anti-hepatoma activity of SBP-2A was better than that of SBP-1A and SBP. In addition, SBP-2A significantly enhanced HepG2 cell death, as cell viability was decreased, and SBP-2A induced HepG2 cell apoptosis and blocked the G1 phase. This phenomenon was coupled with the upregulated expression of P53 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, as well as the downregulated expression of the cell cycle-regulating protein cyclinD1, CDK4, and Bcl-2 in this study. Further analysis showed that 50 mg/kg SBP-2A inhibited the tumour growth in H22 tumour-bearing mice, with an average inhibition rate of 40.33%. Taken together, SBP-2A, isolated and purified from S. barbata showed good antitumour activity in vivo and in vitro, and SBP-2A may be a candidate drug for further evaluation in cancer prevention. This study provides insight for further research on the molecular mechanism of the anti-hepatoma activity of S. barbata polysaccharide.

Soluble solid content and firmness index assessment and maturity discrimination of Malus micromalus Makino based on near-infrared hyperspectral imaging

Malus micromalus Makino has great commercial and nutritional value. The regression and classification models were investigated by using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) combined with chemometrics to improve the efficiency of non-destructive detection. The successive projections algorithm (SPA), interval random frog, and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling were employed to extract effective wavelengths sensitive to changes of soluble solid content (SSC) and firmness index (FI) information. Two types of assessment models based on full spectrum and effective wavelengths, namely partial least squares regression and extreme learning machine, were established to predict SSC and FI. In addition, the classification models based on the support vector machine improved by the grey wolf optimizer (GWO-SVM) and partial least squares discrimination analysis were constructed to differentiate maturity stage. The SPA-ELM and SPA-GWO-SVM models achieved satisfactory performance. The results illustrate that NIR-HSI is feasible for evaluation of the quality of Malus micromalus Makino.

Recent advances in biotransformation, extraction and green production of D-mannose

D-mannose is a natural and biologically active monosaccharide. It is the C-2 epimer of glucose and a component of a variety of polysaccharides in plants. In addition, D-mannose also naturally exists in some cells of the human body and participates in the immune regulation of cells as a prebiotic. Its good physiological benefits to human health and wide application in the food and pharmaceutical industries have attracted widespread attention. Therefore, in-depth research on preparation methods of D-mannose has been widely developed. This article summarizes the main production methods of D-mannose in recent years, especially the in-depth excavation from biomass raw materials such as coffee grounds, konjac flour, acai berry, etc., to provide new ideas for the green manufacture of D-mannose.

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Various methods of recent mannose production were comprehensively summarized.

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The new technical progress of obtaining mannose from biomass as emphatically discussed.

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Discuss various preparation methods including different pretreatments, enzymatic hydrolysis, etc.

Cognition of polysaccharides from confusion to clarity: when the next "omic" will come?

With the accelerated pace of modern life, people are facing more and more health pressure. The study of polysaccharides seemed a good choice as a potential treasure trove. Polysaccharides, one of the four basic substances (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates) that constitute life activities, are obviously an underrated macromolecular substance with great potential. Compared with protein and nucleic acid, the research of polysaccharides is still in the primary stage. The relationship between structure and function of polysaccharides is not clear. In this review, we highlighted the main methods of extraction, purification and structure identification of polysaccharides; summarized their biological activities including immunoregulation, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, anti-virus, anti-coagulation, and so on. Particularly, the relationship between their structures and activities was described. In addition, the applications of polysaccharides in health food, medicine and cosmetics were also reviewed. This review can help polysaccharide researchers quickly understand the whole process of polysaccharides research, and also provide a reference for the comprehensive utilization of polysaccharides. We need to standardize the research of polysaccharides to make the experimental data more universal, and take it as important references in the review process. Glycomic may appear as the next "omic" after genomic and proteomic in the future. This review provides support for the advancement of glycomics.

Safety evaluation and hypolipidemic effect of aqueous-ethanol and hot-water extracts from E Se tea in rats

E Se tea, processed by the fresh leaves of Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes, is a traditional herbal tea with various human benefits. The present study was aimed to evaluate the toxicity and hypolipidemic effect of aqueous-ethanol extract (EE) and hot-water extract (WE) from E Se tea. Eight main chemical constituents in EE and WE were respectively identified and quantified by UHPLC-HRMS/MS. EE is rich in TPC and TFC, while WE had higher TPS content. Both EE and WE exhibited strong antioxidant activity with no significant difference. The acute toxicity study revealed that the LD₅₀ values were higher than 5000 mg/kg, while both WE and EE had no significant adverse effect in rats by subacute toxicity assay. However, the triglyceride (TG) content in experiment groups (male) and highest doses groups (female) significantly decreased. Furthermore, the hypolipidemic effect of WE and EE were performed on high fat diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. The result exhibited that either WE or EE could effectively regulate lipid droplet accumulation in liver, and reduce the adipocyte size. These results demonstrated that these two extracts from E Se tea could be regarded as a potential functional dietary supplement in preventing and treating diet induced metabolic diseases.

Effect of steam explosion pretreatment on the structure and bioactivity of Ampelopsis grossedentata polysaccharides

Steam explosion (SE) was a friendly environmentally pretreatment method. In this study, the effect of steam explosion (SE) pretreatment on structure and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Ampelopsis grossedentata polysaccharides was evaluated. Two novel polysaccharides (AGP and AGP-SE) were extracted, isolated, purified and analyzed by NMR, FT-IR and methylation. The results indicated that AGP mainly consisted of Rha, Xyl, Glc, and Ara with a molecular weight of 2.74 × 10³ kDa and AGP-SE mainly consisted of Man, Ara, and Gal with a molecular weight of 2.14 × 10³ kDa. Furthermore, the backbone of AGP and AGP-SE were mainly composed of 5)-Araf-(1→, -Glcp-(1→, 6)-Glcp-(1→, 6)-Galp-(1→, 3,6)-Manp-(1→, and 2,3,6)-Glcp-(1→. Finally, we demonstrated that all polysaccharides exhibited obviously α-glucosidase inhibition activity and mixed type inhibition. AGP-SE had better α-glucosidase inhibition activity and the binding affinity KD on α-glucosidase by using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) than AGP. Overall, SE pretreatment is an effective method for extracting polysaccharide and provides a new idea into the improvement of biological activity.

Extraction, structural analysis, derivatization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide from Chinese yam

The polysaccharide of yam was extracted by hot water method and purified by column chromatography. The physicochemical properties of Chinese yam polysaccharide were analyzed by UV, IR, GPC, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR spectra. The results showed that Chinese yam polysaccharide had α-d-Gluc-(1 → 4) glycoside bond, and the C2 hydroxyl group was replaced by ethoxyl group. The average molecular weight was determined to be 7.28 × 10⁴. It showed that The scavenging effect of yam polysaccharide on hydroxyl radicals was similar to V_C. The sulfated polysaccharide (SP), phosphorylated polysaccharide (PP), carboxymethylated polysaccharide (CP) and acetylated polysaccharide (A-P) were identified by IR and NMR. The results showed that P and its derivatives showed good antioxidant activity. Especially, their scavenging ability to hydroxyl radicals reached the level of V_C. This laid a theoretical foundation for the development of yam polysaccharide-related foods.

Vaccaria segetalis: A Review of Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Findings

Vaccaria segetalis is a dry mature seed of Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert, which belongs to the genus V. segetalis (Neck.) Garcke. There are multiple medicinal parts of V. segetalis, according to the records, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds, which should be used together. Currently, V. segetalis is most frequently used in the treatment of menstruation, dysmenorrhea, breast milk stoppages, and chylorrhea. Numerous studies present historical evidence of the use of V. segetalis to treat several diseases and describe its beneficial effects including prolactin- (PRL-) like, estrogen-like, antitumor, antiangiogenesis, and antioxidant activity. We summarized the period from January 1980 to December 2019 regarding V. segetalis. This review paper indicates that V. segetalis has promising clinical applications. The main active ingredients of the plant have been elucidated in recent years. We summarized the previously and newly discovered pharmacological effects of V. segetalis in addition to its active ingredients, ethnopharmacological uses, and toxicological properties, and provided a focus for future research.

Molecular structures of nonvolatile components in the Haihong fruit wine and their free radical scavenging effect

In order to investigate the correlation between free radical scavenging effect and the related molecular structures of active substances in the Haihong fruit (Malus Micromalus Makino) wine, sixteen kinds of components were isolated from the fruit wine. The structures of thirteen components were identified by UV, FTIR, LC-MS, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR. The scavenging abilities of the fruit wine on DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl radical), OH, O₂^- and the protective effects on red blood cell, SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), CAT(Catalase) and GPX(glutathione peroxidases) in aging mice tissues were studied. Results showed that the structures of o-diphenol and m-diphenol play an important role in scavenging free radicals. A larger conjugation system in functional molecule is conducive to getting a higher scavenging rate of free radicals. When the chemical shift of phenol hydrogen is lower, the anti-oxygenation ability is stronger. The fruit wine exhibits a strong scavenging ability on free radicals. It can inhibit the damage of red blood cells caused by OH radical.

Anti-aging potential and phytochemicals of Centella asiatica, Nelumbo nucifera, and Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts

Centella asiatica, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, and Hibiscus sabdariffa have been used as medicinal plants in Thailand. They are sources of phytochemicals that applications for esthetic and healthcare. The aim of this research was to examine the phytochemical constituents and anti-aging potential of these plants. The phytochemical compounds were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The anti-aging activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sunfonic acid) (ABTS), anti-collagenase, and anti-elastase assays. The main interest phytochemical compounds of ethanolic extracts of C. asiatica, N. nucifera, H. sabdariffa were ethanol, 2-(-Octadecenyloxy), γ-sitosterol and hexadecanoic acid, and ethyl ester, respectively. The DPPH half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) results of C. asiatica, N. nucifera, and H. sabdariffa were 0.32 ± 0.01, 0.34 ± 0.00, and 0.35 ± 0.01 mg/mL, respectively. The ABTS result of H. sabdariffa extract showed high inhibitory activity at IC₅₀ of the extract was 0.62 ± 0.12 mg/mL. The percentage of collagenase inhibition of C. asiatica, N. nucifera, and H. sabdariffa at 1.0 mg/mL was 78.13 ± 4.42, 85.94 ± 2.21, and 90.63 ± 0.00, respectively. The C. asiatica extract had a high percentage of elastase inhibition. Consequently, these research results suggest that phytochemicals may also provide a range of esthetic and health benefits. The phytochemical constituent could be used as anti-aging active ingredient for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industrials.

Dietary cucurbitacin E reduces high-strength altitude training induced oxidative stress, inflammation and immunosuppression

Professional athletes conduct high-intensitive hypoxic training often accompanied by the increase of many inflammatory-related cytokines and immunosuppression. Cucurbitacin E (CucE), as a triterpenoid isolated from Cucurbitaceae plants, exert potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. However, it is unknown whether that the CucE could be used as dietary supplement for athletes to improve inflammatory response and immunosuppression. In this study, we established the simulative hypoxic training rat and monkey models and evaluated the effects of CucE on immune- and inflammation-related factors. Obvious improvement on pro-inflammatory factors and pro-lymphocyte proliferation activities were showed in CucE treated rats compared with the control. Further supplement of CucE in professional meals for cynomolgus monkeys with 4-weeks high-intensitive hypoxic training also exert effects on altitude-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and immunologic function. Furtherly, we explored the underlying mechanism of CucE in human Jurkat T cells and results showed that CucE may exhibit immunosuppressive effect by attenuating critical cytokine expression through down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, CucE is expected to be a potential dietary supplement for athletes to ameliorate the inflammation and immunosuppression caused by high-intensitive exercise.

Design and development of spirulina polysaccharide-loaded nanoemulsions with improved the antitumor effects of paclitaxel

Aims: In this study, we prepared spirulina polysaccharides into spirulina polysaccharide-loaded nanoemulsions (SPS-NEs), and determined the antitumor effect of SPS-NEs, when combined with paclitaxel (PTX).Methods: SPS-NEs were prepared by a phase transformation method. The Characterisation and stability of SPS-NEs was measured. The antitumor effect of SPS-NEs combined with PTX was determined by S180 cells or RAW 264.7 macrophages and S180 tumour-bearing mice.Results: SPS-NEs were spherical and stable, the particle size of SPS-NEs was 84.6 ± 3.31 nm, PDI = 0.235 ± 0.02. PTX + SPS-NEs exhibited a much greater toxicity against RAW 264.7 cells than PTX. PTX + SPS-NEs increased the release of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α, and the expression of p-p65 NF-κB, p-I-κB, TLR4. In addition, PTX + SPS-NEs significantly inhibited tumour growth by 72.82% and increased the secretion of serum IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ.Conclusions: SPS-NEs can regulate immunity through TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathways, which enhances the anti-tumour effect of PTX.

Antioxidant and anti-aging activities of polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae

Cordyceps cicadae is a traditional Chinese medicine with high nutritional value and biological activities. Previously, we reported on the antioxidant activity associated with the polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae (CP). To further explore which of the fraction of CP had the greatest potency, in here, the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-aging activities of the fractions CP30-CP80 of CP were evaluated. The in vitro antioxidant activity results revealed that all the fractions (i.e. CP30-CP80) were potent with CP70 as the most potent. Notably, CP70 prolonged the lifespan of Drosophila (P < 0.05), increased the activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (P < 0.01), and inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.01). Additionally, CP70 upregulated the expression level of antioxidant-related genes CAT, SOD1 and MTH in Drosophila (P < 0.05). These results indicated that CP70 may prolong the lifespan of Drosophila through the up-regulation of the expression level of antioxidant-related genes CAT, SOD1 and MTH in Drosophila. Thus, polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae possess significant antioxidant and anti-aging activities, and could be explored as a new dietary supplement to slow down the aging process.

Trends in the extraction, purification, characterisation and biological activities of polysaccharides from tropical and sub-tropical fruits - A comprehensive review

Tropical and sub-tropical fruits are tremendous sources of polysaccharides (PSs), which are of great interest in the human welfare system as natural medicines, food and cosmetics. This review paper aims to highlight the recent trends in extraction (conventional and non-conventional), purification and analytic techniques of fruit polysaccharides (FPSs). The chemical structure and biological activities, such as immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-coagulant and anti-diabetic effects, of PSs extracted from 53 various fruits were compared and discussed. With this wide coverage, a total of 172 scientific articles were reviewed and discussed. This comprehensive survey from previous studies suggests that the FPSs are non-toxic and highly biocompatible. In addition, this review highlights that FPSs might be excellent functional foods as well as effective therapeutic drugs. Finally, the future research advances of FPSs are also described. The content of this review will promote human wellness-based food product development in the future.

Optimizing the Extraction of Polysaccharides from Bletilla ochracea Schltr. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Evaluating their Antioxidant Activity

Bletilla ochracea Schltr. polysaccharides (BOP) have a similar structure to Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f. (Orchidaceae) polysaccharides (BSP). Therefore, BOP can be considered as a substitute for BSP in the food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics fields. To the best of our knowledge, little information is available regarding the optimization of extraction and antioxidant activity of BOP. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was firstly used for optimizing the extraction parameters of BOP. The results suggested that the optimal conditions included a temperature of 82 °C, a duration of 85 min and a liquid/material ratio of 30 mL/g. In these conditions, we received 26.45% ± 0.18% as the experimental yield. In addition, BOP exhibited strong concentration-dependent antioxidant abilities in vitro. The half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of BOP against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS+·), hydroxyl (·OH) and superoxide anion (·O2−) radicals and ferrous ions (Fe2+) were determined as 692.16, 224.09, 542.22, 600.53 and 515.70 µg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, our results indicate that BOP can be a potential natural antioxidant, deserving further investigation.

Malus micromalus Makino phenolic extract preserves hepatorenal function by regulating PKC-α signaling pathway and attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress in lead (II) exposure mice

Lead (Pb), which widely recognized as a nonessential heavy metal and a major environmental contamination, is a growing threat to the ecosystem and human body. In the present study, Malus micromalus Makino cv. 'Dong Hong' phenolic extract (MMPE) has been used to antagonise Pb-induced erythrocyte injury, hepatic and renal dysfunction in mice. Six-week-old male Kunming mice were gavaged with PbCl₂ (20 mg/kg mouse/day) and/or MMPE (100 mg/kg mouse/day) by gavage administration for 10 days. We evaluated erythrocyte fragility, relative organ mass, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes to evaluate the protection effect of MMPE on the injury of liver and kidney in Pb-treated mice. MMPE significantly inhibited the increase of protein kinase C-α, B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X, cytochrome C and Caspase-3 protein levels and decreased calreticulin protein expression level in Pb-exposed mice. MMPE supplementation could maintain the integrity of erythrocyte membranes and ameliorate the endoplasmic reticulum stress in Pb-treated mice. It suggested MMPE as a natural nutritional supplement to alleviate Pb-induced hazardous effects in Pb-exposed humans.

Characterization of polysaccharides isolated from Hericium erinaceus and their protective effects on the DON-induced oxidative stress

In this study, the structure characteristic of the Hericium erinaceus polysaccharide (HEP) was investigated using Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results showed that HEP, with a molecular weight of 43 KDa, was mainly composed of glucose and rhamnose. The linkages of the sugar residues of HEP were → 6) β-d-Glcp-(1 → and → 2) -α-l-Rhap-(1 → residue at the end of the branches. The Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced cellular injury model for IPEC-J2 cells was established and used to investigate the protective effects of HEP against the oxidative stress. The results suggest that HEP could significantly protect IPEC-J2 cells from DON-induced oxidative stress, inhibit DON-induced apoptosis and reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overall, this study suggested that HEP could be explored as potential antioxidant agents for DON-induced intestinal mucosa injury.

Recent progress in the research of yam mucilage polysaccharides: Isolation, structure and bioactivities

Yam (Dioscorea spp.), known as an edible and medicinal tuber crop in China, has been used historically for the treatment of diabetes, diarrhea, asthma, and other ailments in traditional Chinese medicine. Moreover, it has been consumed as starchy food for thousands of years in China. Modern phytochemistry and pharmacological experiments have been proved that non-starch polysaccharide is one of the main bioactive substances of yam. Many studies have been focused on the isolation and identification of polysaccharides and their bioactivities of Chinese yam. However, due to the difference in the variety of raw materials and the method of polysaccharides extracting, the structure and biological activity of the obtained polysaccharides also differ. It has been demonstrated that Chinese yam polysaccharide has various important biological activities, such as hypoglycemia, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. This paper is aimed at summarizing previous and current references of the isolation processes, structural features and bioactivities of yam polysaccharides. The review will serve as a useful reference material for further investigation and application of yam polysaccharides in functional foods and medicine fields.

1,3,5,8-Tetrahydroxy-9H-xanthen-9-one exerts its antiageing effect through the regulation of stress-response genes and the MAPK signaling pathway

The antioxidative effects of 30 xanthone derivatives (XDs) (XD-n, n = 1-30) in HepG2 cells were evaluated by the cellular antioxidant activity assay. Results showed that all XDs were antioxidants and 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxy-9H-xanthen-9-one (XD-2) was the most active antioxidant. The all-oxygenated substituted xanthones extended the lifespan of wild-type N2 nematodes under normal culture conditions and XD-2 was the best one. XD-2 eliminated excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhanced the expression levels and activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. XD-2 inhibited the H₂ O₂ -increased phosphorylation levels of c-JUN N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38 in HepG2 cells. In vivo, XD-2 also extended the lifespan of wild-type N2 nematodes under oxidative stress induced by paraquat, but failed in extending the lifespan of CF1038 (daf-16 deletion) and AY102 (pmk-1 deletion) mutant nematodes. It was revealed by real-time polymerase chain reaction that the genes daf-16, sir-2.1, akt-1, and age-1 were all inhibited by paraquat stimuli, while XD-2 reversed these inhibitions; in contrast, paraquat stimuli upregulated both the skn-1 and pmk-1 genes. However, treatment by XD-2 further increased the levels of both genes. These pieces of evidence implied that XD-2 promotes longevity through endogenous signaling pathways rather than through the antioxidative activity alone. Taken all together, it may be concluded that XD-2 is a promising antiageing agent.